The association between family flexibility, food preoccupation and body image among crystal abuser women

Int J High Risk Behav Addict. 2012 Fall;1(3):126-31. doi: 10.5812/ijhrba.7503. Epub 2012 Nov 26.

Abstract

Background: Methamphetamine (MA) is a highly addictive stimulant which has destructive effects. There is also evidence that methamphetamine use in some females, partly is due to their desire to lose weight. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between family flexibility, food preoccupation and body image among crystal abuser women.

Objectives: This study tried to evaluate whether food preoccupation, body image and family flexibility affect on crystal abuse in women.

Patients and methods: Eighty crystal abuser women were chosen with convenience sampling and they responded to instrument of body image (Fisher), family flexibility (Olson) and food preoccupation (Tapper) questionnaires.

Results: There is a significant association between family flexibility and food preoccupation (P < 0.01) and also other variables; there is no significant association between family flexibility and body image, body image and food preoccupation (P > 0.05). Also, family flexibility is prediction of food preoccupation (P < 0.01).

Conclusions: These results emphasize that the components of eating behaviors (e.g. food preoccupation) and family flexibility can be considered in therapeutic interventions (prevention and treatment) for women to crystal withdrawal.

Keywords: Body Image; Drug Abuse; Methamphetamine; Women.