Objective: Perceived parental influence on diet in early adolescence in the context of the parental relationship had previously not been studied in a clinical sample. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between eating disorders and characteristics of the relationship with parents and the parental feeding practices in early adolescence. Methods: 21 female adolescents and young adults with an eating disorder (ED)–bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa–and 22 females without eating disorder (healthy control; HC), aged between 16 and 26, were assessed via self-report questionnaires for problematic eating behaviour, relationship with parents, perceptions of parent’s feeding practices at the age of 10–13 years and personality. Statistical evaluation was performed by means of group comparisons, effect sizes, regression analyses and mediator analyses. Results: Adolescent and young adult females with ED reported more fears/overprotection and rejection/neglect by their mothers and less self-responsibility in terms of eating behaviour during adolescence than did the HC. The relationship with the fathers did not differ significantly. Females who perceived more cohesion, rejection/neglect and fears/overprotection by the mother were more likely to suffer from an ED. Rejection/neglect by both parents were associated with less self-acceptance of the young females with even stronger effect sizes for the fathers than the mothers. Harm prevention in the young females was a partial mediator between fears/overprotection and the drive for thinness. Conclusions: The parental relationship is partly reflected in the self-acceptance and self-responsibility in eating of the adolescent and young females, both of them are particularly affected in EDs. Stressors in the parent-child relationship should be targeted in treatment of eating disorders. Nutritional counselling for parents might be useful in early adolescence.

Longitudinal influences on the relationships between parents and their adolescent children in 175 Austrian families were analysed with data from three measurement points over a time span of 18 years. We investigated the influences of parental personality, marital conflict and adolescents' personality on the father–child and mother–child relationships separately. Inconsistent with previous theories and empirical findings, we found almost no associations between parental personality and parent–child relationships. Marital conflict was associated with only the father–child relationship. Children's personality showed the most consistent associations with the parent–child relationship. Our data support the theory of dynamic interactionism, which postulates an interdependency of personality factors and social relationships.

Background Endometriosis is the most frequent gynecological diseases and accompanied by both physical and psychological symptoms. An increasing number of studies suggested acknowledging endometriosis as a systematic disease due to the multifactorial effects throughout the body. The chronic disease significantly impacts daily life, including romantic relationships. This study aimed to investigate the associations between health-related quality of life (HRQoL), infertility-related psychological well-being (IPW), constructive communication, and relationship quality in individuals with endometriosis. Methods A total of 627 individuals with endometriosis participated in this online cross-sectional study. We measured HRQoL in all participants and IPW specifically in those who reported an unfulfilled wish for a child. Additionally, relationship quality and constructive communication were assessed. We used Pearson's product moment correlation to examine the association of HRQoL/IPW and relationship quality. Mediation analysis was used to assess the role of constructive communication in the association between HRQoL/IPW and relationship quality. In an explorative analysis, differences between subsamples with and without an unfulfilled wish for a child were analyzed. Results Poorer HRQoL was associated with lower relationship quality overall (p = .002) and specifically with three subscales of relationship quality: worse sexuality (p = .016), increased mistrust towards the partner (p < .001), and restriction of freedom/independence (p = .003). There was no significant association between IPW and relationship quality. The mediation analysis including constructive communication as mediator showed a full mediation between HRQoL/IPW and relationship quality. The subsamples with and without an unfulfilled wish for a child differed in HRQoL but not in relationship quality or constructive communication. Conclusion The findings indicated an association between HRQoL in individuals with endometriosis and relationship quality. In addition, we observed a full mediation between HRQoL/IPW and relationship quality, when constructive communication was considered as a mediator. Therefore, constructive communication plays a key role in effectively managing the impact of the disease within a relationship. Individuals with endometriosis experiencing difficulties conceiving should have access to appropriate psychological counseling.

Background/Objectives: Endometriosis affects around 10% of women of reproductive age and is commonly associated with pelvic pain, fatigue and infertility. Beyond physical symptoms, the condition can substantially affect psychosocial well-being. However, self-esteem has typically been considered only indirectly in this context. This study examines how women with medically diagnosed endometriosis describe self-esteem in relation to the condition and the contexts in which it appears to be weakened or strengthened. Methods: Nine women with medically diagnosed endometriosis participated in semi-structured interviews (in person or online) between March and May 2025. Data were analyzed using Focused Interview Analysis with MAXQDA. Results: Self-esteem emerged as a recurring theme across everyday functioning, body-related experiences and, in some cases, fertility-related concerns. Self-esteem-related difficulties were described across different levels of symptom burden and were often discussed in relation to functional limitations, perceived reliability, loss of control, and high internal performance standards. Experiences of social and medical invalidation were frequently linked to self-doubt, withdrawal and self-invalidation. At the same time, participants described acceptance, self-compassion, boundary-setting, and the re-evaluation of femininity as experiences associated with a more stable sense of self-esteem. Conclusions: The findings suggest that self-esteem-related experiences were discussed in relation to functional limitations, experiences of being taken seriously, and available psychosocial resources. Self-esteem-related dynamics may represent a clinically relevant dimension to consider in psychosocial support for patients with endometriosis.