Weight gain and parental self-efficacy in a family-based partial hospitalization program

Background: Family-based treatment (FBT) is an outpatient therapy, though FBT principles have been incorporated in higher levels of care (e.g., partial hospitalization programs, PHPs). It is unknown how participation in a family-based PHP impacts weight restoration and parental self-efficacy.

Methods: Weight gain and parental self-efficacy were examined in 98 participants with anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa during the first five weeks of participation in a family-based PHP. Maternal self-efficacy was assessed using the Parent versus Anorexia Scale.

Results: Significant increases in weight, percent expected body weight (EBW), and maternal self-efficacy were observed, with large effect sizes. During the first five weeks of treatment, patients in the PHP gained an average of 4.5 kg, or 8.3% EBW. Maternal self-efficacy improved within two weeks of treatment.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that family-based PHPs may facilitate rapid weight restoration without decreasing parental self-efficacy. Randomized trials are needed to directly compare family-based PHPs to outpatient FBT and PHPs with alternate treatment approaches, including longer-term follow-up and cost-effectiveness modeling.