Attachment-Based Family Therapy to Improve Family Functioning in Adolescent Binge-Spectrum Eating Disorders: An Initial Evaluation Via Case Series Design
Abstract
Binge-spectrum eating disorders (EDs; bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder) often develop during adolescence and are associated with serious psychological and physical consequences. Current treatments for adolescents are highly behavioral in nature and while efficacious, many patients do not reach remission indicating that current treatments fail to target a key maintenance factor for EDs. One potential maintenance factor is poor family functioning (FF). In particular, high family conflict (e.g., arguing, critical comments) and low family cohesion (e.g., warmth, support) are known to maintain ED behaviors. Poor FF can (1) cause or exacerbate an adolescent’s use of ED behaviors to cope with life stress and/or (2) inhibit parents from being a resource to adolescents during ED treatment. Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) is specifically designed to improve FF, and thus may be a promising adjunct to behavioral ED intervention strategies. ABFT, however, has not been tested in adolescents with binge-spectrum EDs. Thus, the current study is the first to evaluate a 16-week adapted ABFT treatment for adolescents with EDs (N = 8, Mage = 16.00, 71.43% female, 71.43% White) fusing together behavioral treatment for EDs with ABFT for highest possible impact. Eight families were treated in an open pilot trial to examine treatment feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy on FF and eating pathology. Overall, findings were promising. ABFT + B treatment was feasible and…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health. Reported size: 8 participants or records.
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