Abstract
Group models are commonly used to treat eating disorders; however, research in this area remains largely underdeveloped. Interest in group work is likely to increase due to the demands on the public health system and the cost-effectiveness of group modalities. This scoping review sought to explore the evidence underpinning group therapy for adolescents living with an eating disorder. A literature search of 10 academic databases and four gray literature databases was undertaken in 2013. Selected Internet resources were searched and the author consulted professionals from Eating Disorders Victoria, the Butterfly Foundation, and the University of Melbourne. A total of 11 peer-reviewed articles published between 2003 and 2013 were included for review. There was an overall lack of research with no randomized-controlled trials available. Six program evaluations and five program descriptions were found, and they reported on a range of eating disorders and group modalities. The program evaluations suggested the utility of group therapy for promoting weight restoration in underweight individuals living with an eating disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy groups were found to be more effective for bulimia nervosa and multifamily group therapy showed promise for anorexia nervosa. More rigorous research is needed to establish the effectiveness of group therapy for adolescents living with an eating disorder.
Highlights
Eating disorders are life-threatening mental illnesses that cost Australians approximately Aus$60 billion every year (Deloitte Access Economics, 2012)
In the past 10 years, there have been no published randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the use of group therapy for adolescents living with an eating disorder
The results of this scoping review indicate that there is an overall lack of research on group therapy for adolescents living with an eating disorder
Summary
Eating disorders are life-threatening mental illnesses that cost Australians approximately Aus$60 billion every year (Deloitte Access Economics, 2012). Evidence suggests that early intervention leads to better treatment outcomes (Al-Yaman, Sargaent, & Bryant, 2003; Deloitte Access Economics, 2012), indicating a need for effective treatments aimed at the adolescent population. There exists a broad range of group therapies aimed at treating the various features and psychosocial impacts of the illnesses, such as body image groups (Bhatnagar, Wisniewski, Solomon, & Heinberg, 2013), nutrition groups (Goldstein et al, 2011), social skills groups (Tasca, Balfour, Presniak, & Bissada, 2012), and psychotherapy groups (Nevonen & Broberg, 2006); yet, few studies have explored the efficacy of these treatment models with the adolescent population
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