Childhood onset anorexia nervosa: the experience of parents

This qualitative study examined the experience of parents who had a child with early onset anorexia nervosa. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 11 parents (seven mothers and four fathers). Qualitative data analysis yielded eight core themes structured around three broad domains: understanding the eating disorder, the impact of the eating disorder, and managing the eating disorder and its impact. The themes revealed that the experience of having a child with anorexia nervosa is extremely demanding and personally challenging for parents. Despite this, parents remained determined to help their child in the face of this debilitating condition. The implications for the delivery of services for children and adolescents with eating disorders and their families are discussed.