Maternal characteristics and toddler temperament in infantile anorexia

Objective: To explore the association between specific maternal characteristics, maternal perceptions of toddler temperament, and infantile anorexia. Method: Three groups of toddlers (aged 12-37 months) participated in this study: toddlers with infantile anorexia (n = 34), picky eaters (n = 34), and healthy eaters (n = 34). Mothers completed questionnaires that assessed their own eating attitudes, marital satisfaction. and their toddlers' temperament, and an interview that explored their attachment representations. Mothers and toddlers were videotaped during a feeding session, and toddlers were weighed and measured. Results: Temperament ratings differentiated between infantile anorexics and healthy eaters (p < .0001), with infantile anorexics receiving higher difficulty. irregularity. negativity, dependence, and unstoppable ratings. Mothers of anorexics showed greater attachment insecurity than mothers of healthy eaters (p < .05), but they demonstrated neither overt eating pathology nor less marital satisfaction than the other groups. Thirty-nine percent of variance in feeding conflict was explained by toddlers' diagnoses, temperament ratings, and maternal characteristics. Twenty-one percent of variance in toddlers' weights was explained by temperament ratings and feeding conflict. Conclusion: Maternal characteristics and perceptions of their toddlers' temperament characteristics should be addressed in treatment for infantile anorexia.