"Balancing within a closed family system": a grounded theory study of how family life is affected by having a family member with an eating disorder.

Background: This qualitative study explores how having an adult daughter or sister with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa affects the family's daily life. Previous research has focused on the family's role in the development of an eating disorder, while more recently the focus has been on the illness's impact on the family. Caring for an individual with an eating disorder can involve distress, guilt, extra burdens, and unmet needs.

"Putting your own oxygen mask on first": a qualitative study of siblings of adults with anorexia or bulimia.

Background: In families where one of the siblings has an eating disorder (ED), research indicates that the siblings without eating disorders (EDs) experience insufficient care and negative changes in family life. The illness then takes up a great deal of space within the family. Support from the siblings without EDs is considered to be important for the recovery of the sibling with ED.