Purpose

The purpose of this literature review is to describe how eating disorders among adolescents affect family relationships and the family’s daily living conditions and to describe the family’s experienced need for professional support.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrative literature review based on the method of Whittemore and Knafl. In all, 15 articles with both qualitative and quantitative approaches were reviewed.

Findings

The results are presented in two main themes: a disharmonic family and the need for input from healthcare professionals. The results are discussed using Callista Roy’s adaptation model and the adaptive modes: group identity mode, role function and interdependence.

Originality/value

This review paper will be of interest to clinical nurses and other professionals who encounter families to clarify how the relationships and roles change within the family. To the authors knowledge, no integrative review has paid attention to how the relational aspects of the family members, their social roles and role constructions within the family affect daily living.