Adolescent development in family-based treatment for anorexia nervosa: Patients' and parents' narratives

Maudsley Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is currently the best supported treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN); however, little is known about whether it achieves its stated aim in the final phases of promoting the patient's return to an expected developmental trajectory. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of young people and their parents regarding the developmental impact of AN, and the role of FBT in addressing developmental challenges. Young people ( N = 12) who ceased FBT a minimum 1 year prior, and their parents ( N = 12), completed face-to-face semi-structured interviews, and data were analysed using a narrative inquiry method. All the participants described AN as highly disruptive to adolescent development, with phase one of FBT accentuating this experience. In phases two and three, FBT helped facilitate adolescent development in three key ways: Supporting return to adolescent pursuits, facilitating autonomy and providing freedom to develop post-FBT. This study offers preliminary insights into the variety of developmental challenges and needs experienced by families, as well as approaches clinicians can take to supporting development in phases two and three of FBT.