Exploring Family-based Therapy for Adolescent Eating Disorders:
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Engaging in family-based therapy for adolescent eating disorders: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of parental perspectives.
IRAS ID
252339
Contact name
Rachel Hanson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Lanarkshire
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
Family Based Treatment (FBT) for anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) has been shown to be effective in reducing the number of hospitalisations and to assist in the adolescent’s recovery from restrictive eating disorders. However, this is contingent on parents being viewed as a resource who take an active role in the intervention. To date, few studies have explored the psycho-social impact that engagement in FBT has had on parental figures and on the parent child relationship. This is an important area of research as parental capacity to take on responsibility for refeeding their child and their active engagement in the treatment process is crucial for their child’s recovery from the eating disorder.\n\nThis study aims to 1) gain a rich understanding into the lived experience of family members of young people who are engaging in family-based therapy for restrictive eating disorders, 2) explore the psychosocial impact that this has on them and 3) draw conclusions from the extant research which may inform clinical practise in terms of how best to support families engaging in this intervention. \n\nThis will be a qualitative, interview study using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Ten adult participants will be approached by clinicians working in Scottish CAMHS services. Each participant will take part in a one-to-one, semi-structured interview in NHS health centres. Interviews will be transcribed verbatim and transcripts will be analysed using IPA. The study will last approximately 12 months.\n\nThis study may inform clinical practise by shedding light on the experience of families engaging in FBT, the impact on interfamily dynamics and highlight the challenges they face, their support needs, any gaps in service. \n
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
18/WS/0215
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion