Pre-Treatment Specialist Interventions Improve Parents' Self-Efficacy and Their Children's Eating Disorder Symptomology Before Commencing Outpatient Treatment

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite the severe and increasing burden of eating disorders (EDs) on children and adolescents, treatment services are typically only accessible after substantial waiting times. One strategy used to support families during the waitlist period is psychoeducation. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week pre-treatment psychoeducation and specialist medical management and group-based support programme for parents, targeting parental self-efficacy and preparedness for their child's upcoming treatment at an Australian specialist outpatient ED clinic. METHOD: Waitlisted young people (197, mean age 14.55, SD = 1.70, 67% Anorexia Nervosa) and their parents (304) completed questionnaires assessing parents' depression, anxiety and self-efficacy, and young people's depression, ED symptomology and BMI; these measures were completed pre- and post-programme and changes were assessed using multilevel models. RESULTS: Parents increased in self-efficacy, showed modest improvements in depression, and no significant change in anxiety. Young people showed significant improvements in global ED symptomology, BMI and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that a pre-treatment programme yields significant improvements in parental self-efficacy, which is key to effective treatment of EDs in young people. Additionally, modest but meaningful improvements to young people's weight and psychopathology are achievable before families commence an evidence-based outpatient treatment.