Developing interpersonal relationships with adolescents with anorexia nervosa
Valentina Micevski
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health and Diversity, Victoria University, Melbourne VIC
Terence McCann
Nursing Research, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC
PP: 102 - 116
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder that usually develops during adolescence. This paper reports how paediatric nurses develop professional interpersonal relationships with adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa. The study used a grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis. Data were collected using in-depth interviews from ten registered nurses who worked on a paediatric ward.
The findings revealed two foci of care: interacting with nurses, and interacting with patients, and interrelated categories and strategies. A core category highlighted the importance of instigating an individual focus when developing professional interpersonal relationships with patients with anorexia. Contextual factors emphasises the broader influences that modified the way nurses developed relationships with these patients. The findings have implications for clinical practice, education, unit administration, and further research, and these are examined.
Nurses who use this approach are better positioned to gain understanding of individuals experiencing the disorder and to develop professional interpersonal relationships.
Keywords
anorexia nervosa; interpersonal relationships; paediatric nurses; grounded theory
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