A program for parents of teens with anorexia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified

Abstract

Objective. This study investigates the effects of a multidisciplinary education and support program for parents of adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Methods. This was a case-control study with 29 prospective cases and 53 retrospective controls. Parents of 10–17-year-old patients hospitalized due to medical complications of their eating disorders were invited to participate. These parents were offered a multidisciplinary education and support program. At the termination of the hospitalization, parents completed a survey examining their: knowledge about the treatment course of eating disorders, inclusion in their child's care and preparedness to care for their child at home. Results. Using two-tailed t-tests, results indicate that study parents felt: more knowledgeable about the treatment course for eating disorders (p<0.001), less excluded from their child's care (p=0.001), more prepared to take their child home (p<0.001), and that they had a better idea of what to feed their child at home (p<0.001). Conclusion. These results suggest that providing multidisciplinary education and support to parents of hospitalized adolescents with eating disorders helps to improve their feelings of inclusion in and knowledge about the treatment course, and increases their perceived ability to care for and re-nourish their child upon discharge.

• Eating disorder
• parent support
• inpatient
• multidisciplinary
• adolescent

The authors would like to extend our deepest thanks to Iris Litt, M.D., and James Lock, M.D., Ph.D., for their guidance, encouragement and support.