Group Therapy for Adolescents Living With an Eating Disorder

Abstract

Group models are commonly used to treat eating disorders; however, research in this area remains largely underdeveloped. Interest in group work is likely to increase due to the demands on the public health system and the cost-effectiveness of group modalities. This scoping review sought to explore the evidence underpinning group therapy for adolescents living with an eating disorder. A literature search of 10 academic databases and four gray literature databases was undertaken in 2013. Selected Internet resources were searched and the author consulted professionals from Eating Disorders Victoria, the Butterfly Foundation, and the University of Melbourne. A total of 11 peer-reviewed articles published between 2003 and 2013 were included for review. There was an overall lack of research with no randomized-controlled trials available. Six program evaluations and five program descriptions were found, and they reported on a range of eating disorders and group modalities. The program evaluations suggested the utility of group therapy for promoting weight restoration in underweight individuals living with an eating disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy groups were found to be more effective for bulimia nervosa and multifamily group therapy showed promise for anorexia nervosa. More rigorous research is needed to establish the effectiveness of group therapy for adolescents living with an eating disorder.

Revisión sobre la terapia de grupo en niños y adolescentes con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria

“…En 2014 se publica una revisión sobre los tratamientos en grupo de adolescentes con TCA, donde queda reflejado la escasez de estudios con un buen diseño en este ámbito. Se encontró que los grupos de terapia conductual cognitiva eran más efectivos para la bulimia nerviosa y la terapia grupal multifamiliar mostró ser prometedora para la anorexia nerviosa (22).…”

Eating disorders and scope of competence for outpatient psychotherapists.

“…Group work is often included in ED treatment settings (APA, 2006). Downey (2014) has suggested that increased research attention may be paid to the group modality considering its cost effectiveness and a shortage of available resources. In The Eating Disorder Sourcebook , Costin (2007) pointed out potentially helpful aspects of group work that include providing education, increasing support, building interpersonal relations, and managing confrontation.…”