Sly R, Morgan JF, Mountford VA, Lacey JH. Predicting premature termination of hospitalised treatment for anorexia nervosa: the roles of therapeutic alliance, motivation, and behaviour change.
Eat Behav 2013;
14:119-23. [PMID:
23557806 DOI:
10.1016/j.eatbeh.2013.01.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2012] [Revised: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 01/30/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to investigate treatment drop-out, and the associated roles of motivation, alliance, and behaviour change exhibited over the first four weeks of hospitalised treatment for anorexia.
METHODS
90 participants meeting DSM-IV criteria for anorexia nervosa completed questionnaires at admission, and four weeks into treatment. Weight data was collected over this same time period. At the end of treatment, participants were categorised into completer or premature termination groups.
RESULTS
The overall rate of premature termination was 57.8%. Those who prematurely terminated treatment demonstrated lower discharge BMI (p<.0005), and weight gain (p<.0005) than those who completed. Therapeutic alliance proved significantly different between outcome groups at admission (p=.004).
DISCUSSION
End-of-treatment outcomes for those who do not complete treatment are invariably poor. Therapeutic alliance appears to be a particularly important factor in this area.
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