Family Functioning Among Adolescents With Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
European Eating Disorders Review
Published online on June 16, 2026
Abstract
["European Eating Disorders Review, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\n\nObjective\nThe purpose of this study was to add to the limited literature on family functioning among adolescents with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).\n\n\nMethod\nParticipants were receiving treatment for ARFID (n = 89) or anorexia nervosa‐restricting subtype (AN‐R) (n = 66), matched on age, percentage of expected body weight, and treatment length of stay, at a multisite eating disorder treatment facility. All patients completed the Eating Disorders in Youth‐Questionnaire (EDY‐Q) (a measure of ARFID symptoms) at admission and discharge. Family functioning was assessed with the Family Assessment Device (FAD).\n\n\nResults\nNo family functioning scores were significantly different between patients with ARFID and patients with AN‐R, and patients reported poor family functioning on nearly all FAD subscales. No family functioning scores were associated with EDY‐Q scores at admission or discharge. No changes in family functioning were associated with discharge EDY‐Q scores.\n\n\nConclusions\nFindings suggest that family functioning among adolescents with ARFID is impaired and comparable to those with AN‐R.\n\n"]