Family issues in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa.

Factors residing in family systems have been implicated in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa. In this paper I critically review literature that bears on this issue: the transmission of anorexia nervosa in families; family stress patterns, personality and psychopathological characteristics of parents, parent-child interactions, and whole family systems. Much additional research is needed to accurately determine the precise nature of such factors and the extent to which they actually contribute to the appearance of this syndrome.