Role of therapeutic alliance in family therapy for adolescent anorexia nervosa INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS Pereira, T., Lock, J., Oggins, J. 2006; 39 (8): 677-684

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of therapeutic alliance in predicting treatment dropout, response and outcome in a cohort of adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and their families who were treated using a manualized form of family-based therapy (FBT).Independent assessors scored early and late therapeutic alliances for patients and parents using the Working Alliance Inventory-Observer (WAIo). Outcomes were weights and scores on the subscales of the Eating Disorder Examination at the end of 12 months of FBT.Therapeutic alliance throughout treatment was strong both for adolescents and for their parents. A strong early alliance with adolescents was associated with early treatment response in terms of weight gain. A strong early alliance with parents prevented dropout, whereas a strong late parental alliance predicted their child's total weight gain at the end of treatment.Therapeutic alliance in both patients and parents treated with FBT is generally strong and likely contributes to treatment retention and treatment outcome.

View details for DOI 10.1002/eat.20303

View details for Web of Science ID 000242196400008

View details for PubMedID 16937386