“Breaking Down the Wall” Patients` and Families` Experience of Multifamily Therapy for Young Adult Women With Severe Eating Disorders

Abstract

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are serious illnesses leading to lowered quality of life for the patients and their family. The Regional Centre for Eating disorders (RESSP) at Nordland Hospital in Bodø, Norway has developed an adjunct psychotherapeutic approach for the treatment of young adult patients with severe EDs. The patient's family members take part in the multifamily therapy (MFT) group programme. Methods: The aim of the study was to explore patients` and families` experience of MFT for young adult women with severe EDs. Data were collected by field observations in two MFT groups, qualitative group interviews and qualitative individual interviews with patients and their family members. The analytical method was qualitative content analysis. Results: Two main categories were identified: ‘Connectedness and recognition’ and ‘Open yourself and share’. MFT was described as a space for recognition within which it was possible to speak of things happening in the family with others with similar difficulties. It felt good and freeing, but also painful, to meet others with similar experiences. The participants shared a considerable loneliness because it is difficult for outsiders to grasp what it is like in a home dominated by an ED. The meeting with other families created an underlying safety. The participants received help to distinguish between realistic and unrealistic concerns and learned about openness and communication in relation to their daughter. Some women with EDs said that MFT was most important for the parents but also had been good for them as things had become better at home.Conclusion: The participants reported that their family had become better at talking to each other after having been in MFT. As a result, they were able to speak more openly about difficult things and share feelings. This gave rise to increased understanding. The study shows that MFT was found to be valuable and important. Never before had these families had such an offer, something so directly tailored to them. MFT for adults can be developed further and used in other groups, such as those concerning other chronic illnesses.

Multi‐family therapy for eating disorders: A systematic scoping review of the quantitative and qualitative findings

“…Together, this helped people, particularly parents/caregivers, feel less guilty, scared, and anxious (Whitney, Currin, et al, 2012) and feel more confident (Whitney, Currin, et al, 2012; Wiseman et al, 2019b). In two studies, adult patients and carers noted that MFT helped them to open up and share their experiences (Berit Støre Brinchmann & Krvavac, 2021; Tantillo et al, 2019).…”

“…A common theme across several studies was that MFT led to a shift in the quality of family connection and dynamics (Baumas et al, 2021; Berit Støre Brinchmann & Krvavac, 2021; Duarte, 2012; Tantillo et al, 2015; Wiseman et al, 2019b). Commonly, parents/caregivers felt MFT provided a new support network that helped people in all family roles feel less alone and isolated (Duarte, 2012; Engman‐Bredvik et al, 2016; Salaminiou, 2005; Tantillo et al, 2015; Wiseman et al, 2019b), which was also echoed by some patients, albeit fewer (Duarte, 2012; Salaminiou, 2005).…”

Multifamily interventions in the context of inherited genetic conditions: A scoping review

“…Results show that research with multifamily interventions in the context of IGC is scarce and limited, particularly when compared with the abundant research on other medical conditions (Brinchmann & Krvavac, 2021; Eisler et al, 2007; Lemmens et al, 2005; Lemmens et al, 2007; Steinglass et al, 2011). This suggests multifamily intervention raises feasibility issues.…”

“…Trained facilitators help families share their experiences of dealing with their problems and find more effective ways of managing them. They have been successfully applied to mental health (Asen & Schuff, 2006; Brinchmann & Krvavac, 2021; Eisler et al, 2007; Lemmens et al, 2007), management of chronic illness (Chiquelho et al, 2011; Lemmens et al, 2005; Steinglass, 1998) and multi‐challenged families (Overbeek et al, 2021). However, research on multifamily interventions that support families with IGC is limited and sparse.…”