Intensive multi-family therapy for adolescent anorexia nervosa: Adolescents' and parents' day-to-day experiences

Tatiana Voriadaki, Mima Simic, Jonathan Espie, Ivan Eisler*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The experiences of six families involved in a 4-day multi-family therapy (MFT) group for adolescent anorexia nervosa were examined day by day. Participants completed daily records (journals and rating scales) of their experiences. Parents completed the parents versus anorexia scale pretreatment and post-treatment. The researcher kept an observation journal of the MFT process. A week post-treatment, adolescents and parents took part in separate focus groups. The participants' insights into the illness increased rapidly from Day 1 to 3, while participants' emotions fluctuated throughout the 4 days. Motivation for recovery was enhanced for four of the five adolescents and self-efficacy improved for seven of 10 parents. In addition, some improvement in intra-family communication was reported in five of six families. Change was facilitated by the sharing of experiences with other families in a similar situation, role play activities, the increased ability to express emotions and the perceived mutual learning and support. 

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5-23
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Family Therapy
Volume37
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2015

Keywords

  • Adolescent anorexia nervosa
  • Eating disorders
  • Multi-family therapy
  • Process research

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