Table 2 Principal Component Factor Analysis with Varimax rotation for a 5-factor solution of AESED for the carers of relatives with an eating disorder (1^st stage; N = 193)

Factor 1:Avoidance &Modifying Routine

(AMR) (Cronbach alpha 0.90)

38. Has helping your relative in the previously mentioned ways caused you distress?

34. Have you modified your family routine because of your relative's symptoms?

37. Have you modified your leisure activities because of your relative's needs?

33. Have you avoided doing things, going places or being with people because of your relative's disorder?

39. Has your relative become distressed when you have not provided assistance?

36. Have you modified your work schedule because of your relative's needs?

40. Has your relative become angry/abusive when you have not

provided assistance?

32. How often did you assist your relative in avoiding things that might make him/her anxious?

28. To what extent would you say that the relative with an eating disorder controls family life and activities?

31. How often did you participate in behaviours related to your relative's compulsions? Over the past week?

Factor 2: Reassurance Seeking(RS)

(Cronbach alpha 0.86)

9. Repeated seeking of reassurance about whether she looks fat in certain clothes?

7. Repeated questioning about whether she will get fat?

8. Repeated questioning whether it is safe or acceptable to eat certain foods?

22. Accommodation of routines of checking their body shape or weight?

13. Repeated conversations about negative thoughts and feelings?

14. Repeated conversations about self-harm?

12. Repeated conversations about ingredients and amounts in food preparation

21. Accommodation of the exercise routine of the relative with an ED?

Factor 3: Meal Ritual(MR)

(Cronbach alpha 0.86)

19. Accommodating to how the kitchen is cleaned?

16. Accommodating to how crockery is cleaned?

15. Accommodating to what crockery is used?

20. Accommodating to how food is stored?

18. Accommodating to what place food is eaten in?

23. Accommodating to how the house is cleaned and tidied?

17. Accommodating to what time food is eaten?

Factor 4: Control of Family(CF)

(Cronbach alpha 0.85)

3. Control cooking practice and ingredients used

4. Control what other family members eat

2. Control what family members do and for how long in the kitchen

1. Control choice of food that you buy

Factor 5: 'Turning a Blind Eye' (TBE)

(Cronbach alpha 0.77)

27. Ignore bathroom left in a mess

24. Ignore food disappearing

26. Ignore kitchen left in a mess

25. Ignore if money is taken

Eigenvalue

Percentage Variance explained

Cumulative percentage variance explained