Multiple family therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: a pilot study of eating disorder symptoms and interpersonal functioning

The study examined the effect of multiple family therapy on eating disorder symptoms and interpersonal functioning in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). Pre-treatment and post-treatment, twenty patients with AN (n = 8) or atypical AN (EDNOS-AN) (n = 12) were assessed using the eating disorder examination and the eating disorder inventory, inventory of interpersonal problems and structural analysis of social behaviour-Intrex questionnaires. The expected reduction in eating disorder symptomatology was observed, with significant improvement in the patients' body mass index, and a reduction in their restriction, eating concern, weight concern, amount of exercise and drive for thinness. Significant improvements were also found in their interoceptive awareness, self-affirmation and a reduction in their self-blame. The expected reduction in interpersonal problems was not found. However, tendencies for the patients to feel less dominating and vindictive in general, as well as tendencies towards more control/emancipation in relation to the parents were found and are discussed. Practitioner points Multiple family therapy for adolescents with eating disorders and their families can reduce eating disorder symptomatology significantly and facilitate changes in themes revolving around emancipation/distance and control/submission in relation to parents. It can induce higher self-affirmation among these adolescents and is inspiring to therapists as well as patients and parents.