Abstract
Background
Families express a need for guidance in helping their loved ones with anorexia nervosa (AN). Guided self-help interventions can offer support to caregivers.
Methods
One hundred seventy-eight adult AN patients and their caregivers were recruited from 15 UK treatment centres. Families were randomized to carers' assessment, skills and information sharing (C) intervention + treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone. Feedback forms were sent at 6 months post-discharge and, if not returned, at 12 months. One hundred two (57%) patient forms (n = 50TAU; n = 52C) and 115 (65%) caregiver forms (n = 60TAU; n = 55C) were returned. Two researchers coded data blind, using thematic analysis.
Results
(i) Caregivers and patients express a need for post-discharge support. (ii) Patients identify helpful and unhelpful support strategies, useful for developing future interventions. (iii) Patients could identify positive caregiver behaviour changes targeted in intervention. (iv) Guided self-help may benefit caregiver and sufferer, post-discharge.
Conclusion
Caregiver interventions can be a useful tool that will improve the cost effectiveness of inpatient treatment by enhancing the well-being of caregivers and patients.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 430-438 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | European Eating Disorders Review |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 29 Sept 2014 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2014 |
Keywords
- anorexia nervosa
- caregiver
- eating disorders
- qualitative research
- skills training intervention