Cognitive interpersonal maintenance model of eating disorders: intervention for carers

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99 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background

Carers of people with eating disorders report high levels of distress. In addition, carers' responses to the illness may perpetuate eating disorder symptoms. A cognitive interpersonal maintenance model of eating disorders is proposed and interventions for carers may improve wellbeing in both carers and patients.

Aims

To examine an interpersonal maintenance model of eating disorders, using a self-help intervention for carers.

Method

A pre-test-post-test design was used with carers randomised into self-help or guided self-help, which included the Expert Carers Helping Others (ECHO) intervention. Carers' distress, well-being, proposed maintenance factors, and carer reports on the status of the patient were measured.

Results

Carers' distress reduced and secondary outcomes improved. Improvement in carers' status and perceived improvements in patients were associated with reductions in expressed emotion and in accommodating and enabling behaviours. Self-help and guided self-help versions were comparable.

Conclusions

Changes in maintenance factors from the theoretical model were associated with a reduction in carers' distress and improvement in perceived patient functioning. Interventions which specifically target maintaining factors may be of benefit.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)225-231
Number of pages7
JournalBritish Journal of Psychiatry
Volume199
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2011

Keywords

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Caregivers
  • Eating Disorders
  • Expressed Emotion
  • Female
  • Great Britain
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Motivation
  • Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Self Care
  • Self Efficacy
  • Stress, Psychological

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