title: 'I know I can help you': parental self-efficacy predicts adolescent outcomes in family-based therapy for eating disorders.
abstract: Family-based therapy is regarded as best practice for the treatment of eating disorders in adolescents. In family-based therapy, parents play a vital role in bringing their child or adolescent to health; however, little is known about the parent-related mechanisms of change throughout treatment. The present study examines parent and adolescent outcomes of family-based therapy as well as the role of parental self-efficacy in relation to adolescent eating disorder, depressed mood and anxiety symptoms. Forty-nine adolescents and their parents completed a series of measures at assessment, at 3-month post-assessment and at 6-month follow-up. Results indicate that, throughout treatment, parents experienced an increase in self-efficacy and adolescents experienced a reduction in symptoms. Maternal and paternal self-efficacy scores also predicted adolescent outcomes throughout treatment. These results are consistent with the philosophy of the family-based therapy model and add to the literature on possible mechanisms of change in the context of family-based therapy.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Psychology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. acrobinson@laurentian.ca
authors.forename: Adèle Lafrance
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Strahan
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Girz
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boachie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome