A Pilot Study of Associations Between Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa and Carers' Distress

Abstract

Only 61% of adults being treated for anorexia nervosa (AN) were willing to allow their carer to be contacted by researchers in order to ask them to complete questionnaires over the duration of treatment and follow-up. Significant reductions in eating psychopathology from those being treated for AN was followed by significant reductions in their carers' distress some 12 months later. Reductions of carers' distress was associated with only a small effect size and may indicate that more clinically significant reductions requires individualised support for the carers. Carers whose significant other had a lower body mass index at baseline received most benefit in terms of symptom reduction at 12-month follow-up, which may indicate a need to clarify a carer's expectations of the recovery process.

Pilot Study Comparing Multi‐family Therapy to Single Family Therapy for Adults with Anorexia Nervosa in an Intensive Eating Disorder Program

“…However, in a recent study, investigators specifically examined whether improvements in family outcomes were correlated with a reduction in eating disorder symptoms in individuals with AN (Slater et al, 2014). It is possible that the improvements in family outcomes may be related to the decreases in eating psychopathology and increase in BMI in the affected individual rather than the family based interventions.…”

“…It is possible that the improvements in family outcomes may be related to the decreases in eating psychopathology and increase in BMI in the affected individual rather than the family based interventions. However, in a recent study, investigators specifically examined whether improvements in family outcomes were correlated with a reduction in eating disorder symptoms in individuals with AN (Slater et al, 2014). The results showed that decreases in psychological distress only occurred 3 months after the completion of treatment for the affected individual (Slater et al, 2014).…”

“…Studies consistently provide evidence that a significant proportion of adolescents (28% with BN, Schmidt et al, 2007) and adults (61% with AN, Slater et al, 2014) decline to involve their families in studies in treatment trials and questionnaire studies. Only a small percentage of people agreed to involve their family members in a family-based treatment study (regardless of the type of modality).…”

“…However, clinicians working with adults must balance the needs of family members with the rights of individuals with AN to confidentiality, privacy, and choice as to whom to involve in their care. A fear of their autonomy being threatened may partly explain their reluctance in some cases to involve their families in treatment (Schmidt et al, 2007;Slater, Treasure, Schmidt, Gilchrist, & Wade, 2014). The need for autonomy means that it is extremely important to ensure that individuals with AN decide whether or not to involve their families in treatment.…”

“…The need for autonomy means that it is extremely important to ensure that individuals with AN decide whether or not to involve their families in treatment. A fear of their autonomy being threatened may partly explain their reluctance in some cases to involve their families in treatment (Schmidt et al, 2007;Slater, Treasure, Schmidt, Gilchrist, & Wade, 2014). However, research shows that family support, compassion, feeling understood, and appropriate involvement from family are paramount during treatment and the recovery process (Kaap-Deeder et al, 2014;Kelly & Carter, 2014).…”