Parent intervention for Autistic young people with Anorexia Nervosa
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Group Intervention for Parents of Autistic Young People with Anorexia Nervosa: An exploration of how parents make sense of and integrate concepts from the group into family life
IRAS ID
350293
Contact name
Sophie Bennett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The study aims to address the following research question: how do parents who have attended a group intervention for parents of autistic young people with anorexia nervosa make sense of the ideas from the group, and use these ideas in everyday family life?
Previous research has shown autistic people diagnosed with anorexia nervosa face additional challenges recovering from their eating disorder, compared to their neurotypical peers. In young people, anorexia nervosa treatment relies heavily on the involvement of parents and caregivers. Research has shown that parents can experience burnout, resentment, anger, and strained family relationships. Therefore, there is a need for specialised support for young people and their caregivers. The Maudsley Centre for Child & Adolescent Eating Disorders (MCCAED) in the South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) have developed a group intervention for parents of autistic young people with anorexia nervosa. A pilot study has found that the intervention was practical for the service to deliver, and well-received by parents who attended.
Further research is needed to understand in how the intervention is helpful to parents.
The study makes up part of the researcher’s doctorate at King’s College London. Parents who have attended the group intervention in the Maudsley Centre for Children and Adolescent Eating Disorders will be invited to attend a 60-minute online interview with the aim to understand what meaning parents took from the intervention, and how this influenced their understanding of and approach to supporting their child's recovery.
The study aims to address the following research questions:
How do parents interpret and understand the concepts learnt in the group intervention? How do parents apply this to day to day family life?
How do parents understand how autism impacts their child’s recovery from anorexia nervosa?
How do parents make sense of their role in supporting their child’s recovery?REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0255
Date of REC Opinion
4 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion