Developing a web-based add-on intervention for parents of adolescents with anorexia nervosa: a mixed methods preliminary study.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to develop a web-based psycho-educational intervention for parents of adolescents with anorexia nervosa and carry out a mixed method evaluation of its acceptability and feasibility.

METHODS

After developing the intervention, we recruited parents from 19 families of adolescents with AN engaged in family-based therapy at an outpatient specialist center for eating disorders. Participants were given 6-month access to the intervention. Acceptability, feasibility, parental well-being and mental health, and family functioning were collected at baseline and again three months after baseline.

RESULTS

Among the 11 parents from families who participated and accessed the intervention, the majority rated the intervention as satisfying (median = 6, IQR = 5-7), and easy to use (median = 7, IQR = 6.5-8.3). Frequency of use was about once a month. No significant differences between baseline and follow-up were found for parental well-being and mental health. We observed an increase in parental self-efficacy with a large effect size (p = 0.07, rs = -0.52), suggesting a potentially meaningful association. Parents identified positive aspects of the intervention as ease of access, comprehensive content and a positive impact on their approach to their child's illness.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that an add-on digital intervention to family-based treatment for parents of adolescents with AN is acceptable and feasible. Satisfaction, ease of navigation, and finding answers to questions were positively rated. Web-based or computerized psychoeducation for parents can be a valuable addition to treatment for adolescent AN.