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The eating disorder inventory as an instrument to explore change in adolescents in family therapy for anorexia nervosa
Author(s) -
Dare Christopher,
Chania Eleni,
Eisler Ivan,
Hodes Matthew,
Dodge Elizabeth
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/1099-0968(200010)8:5<369::aid-erv375>3.0.co;2-6
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , eating disorder inventory , eating disorders , family therapy , distrust , psychology , bulimia nervosa , intervention (counseling) , group psychotherapy , clinical psychology , psychiatry , interpersonal communication , psychotherapist , interpersonal relationship , social psychology
Abstract Objective: to explore the changes in the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI, Garner et al., 1983; Garner and Olsmtead, 1984) and its sub‐scales in the course of two forms of family therapy for adolescent anorexia nervosa. Method: 40 patients (39 female, one male) and their families were randomly assigned to one of two forms of family therapy given over 12 months. (a) A conjoint family therapy(CFT) in which the adolescent was seen exclusively with parents and siblings. This is a well established form of treatment in child and adolescent mental health teams; (b) A control treatment, which is separated family therapy (SFT). In this, the parents were seen as a couple for parent guidance and the patient was seen for supportive counselling. The EDI was applied at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and at the end of treatment. Results: there were end of treatment between treatment group differences in the global EDI score and in the two sub‐scales: Ineffectiveness and Interpersonal Distrust. Discussion: the EDI was shown to be useful in measuring change in therapy and in differentiating two forms of intervention. CFT seems to be associated with a diminution in a sense of Ineffectiveness and Interpersonal Distrust whereas SFT is associated with no change in these sub‐scales. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.