Volume 21, Issue 2
Contributions of Repertory Grid Technique for the understanding of eating disorders
Abstract
This research aimed to identify structural aspects and content of the construct system of daughters diagnosed with eating disorders and their mothers. In this descriptive study, the Repertory Grid Technique and a focused interview was undertaken. Participants were 14 young women, 18 to 29 years, and their respective mothers. The results revealed that 70% of daughters and all mothers have cognitive rigidity. Regarding the constructs of self, the contents are mainly grouped in emotional aspects for daughters and in personal aspects for mothers. The contents of the differing constructs of daughters and mothers are grouped into emotional aspects. The most frequent implicative dilemmas refer to the search for autonomy / self-affirmation which involves abandonment of others.
Keywords
repertory grid technique, personal construct theory, eating disorder