Family involvement in eating disorder treatment among Latinas

ABSTRACT

Latinos are less likely to seek health care for eating disorders and more likely to drop out of treatment than members of other ethnic groups, highlighting existing challenges to engagement in traditional mental health care. This study explored the role of family in the treatment of adult Latinas with eating disorders through content analysis of family sessions adjunctive to cognitive behavioral therapy. This study yielded insight into the experiences of 10 Latinas with eating disorders (M age = 39.90 years) and 10 relatives (M age = 39.50) from the Promoviendo una Alimentación Saludable trial who were randomly selected to receive six family enhancement sessions. Data from 53 sessions were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach. Family intervention might serve as a valuable adjunct to conventional treatment by positively influencing social, family, and emotional support for Latinas with eating disorders.

SPANISH ABSTRACT

Las latinas son menos propensas a buscar atención médica para los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria y tienen más probabilidades de abandonar el tratamiento que los miembros de otros grupos étnicos, lo que pone de manifiesto los desafíos existentes para la participación en la atención tradicional de la salud mental. Este estudio exploró el papel de la familia en el tratamiento de latinas adultas con trastornos alimentarios a través del análisis del contenido de las sesiones familiares como complemento de la terapia cognitiva conductual. Este estudio arrojó luz sobre las experiencias de 10 latinas con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (M edad = 39.90 años) y 10 familiares (M edad = 39.50) del ensayo clínico Promoviendo una Alimentación Saludable que fueron seleccionados al azar para recibir seis sesiones familiares. Los datos de 53 sesiones se analizaron utilizando un enfoque de análisis de contenido cualitativo. La intervención familiar podría ser un complemento valioso del tratamiento convencional al influir positivamente en el apoyo social, familiar y emocional para las latinas con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria.

KEYWORDS:

• Latino families
• eating disorders
• bulimia nervosa
• binge eating disorder
• treatment engagement

PALABRAS CLAVE:

• Familias latinas
• trastornos de la conducta alimentaria
• bulimia nerviosa
• trastorno por atracón
• compromiso al tratamiento

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a National Institute of Mental Health grant (K-23-MH087954) to the first author at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The institute had no further role in study design; in collection; analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. We express our gratitude to all participants in this research. Dr. Bulik has served on advisory boards for Shire and acknowledges funding from the Swedish Research Council (VR Dnr: 538-2013-8864).