Rahall, Soraya; (2024) Parenting against your instincts: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of parents supporting their child with eating disorder recovery through family-based treatments. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).

Text Soraya_Rahall_Thesis for UCL Discovery.pdf - Accepted Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff until 1 November 2025. Download (1MB)

Abstract

Aims: This review aimed to explore and understand whether there are specific, identifiable factors which might influence treatment outcomes for children and adolescents who have engaged with family-based treatments for eating disorders. Methods: A review of studies focused on factors which might influence treatment outcomes for children and adolescents who receive family-based treatments for eating disorders was conducted. A systematic search of three electronic databases, PsycINFO, Medline and Embase, identified thirty studies which were found to meet inclusion criteria. The findings of these studies are presented in a narrative synthesis. Results: A narrative synthesis of the findings presented in the 30 studies was completed, and a quality assessment of each study was also undertaken. Multiple factors emerged as possibly influencing treatment outcomes; the main factors were found to be pre-treatment severity of the eating disorder, processes within treatment, familial and broader systemic factors. Results highlighted the complex interplay of factors which might influence the possibility of a child or young person entering “recovery” following engagement with family-based eating disorder treatments. Discussion: Results of the present synthesis may offer insights into factors which clinicians and researchers may wish to closely attend to when considering delivering family-based treatments for eating disorders, and emphasises the importance of considering the needs of the young person experiencing the eating disorder, the family network supporting them, as well as the within-treatment mechanisms of change. Future research should explore the possible impacts of neurodiversity and how treatment processes might need to be adapted; in addition, this synthesis highlighted the need to support children and young people who may require continued psychological support following the completion of family-based treatments.

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