Date Approved

2022

Degree Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department or School

Psychology

Committee Member

Karen Saules, Ph.D., Chair

Committee Member

Chong Man Chow, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Tamara Loverich, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Jessica Van Huysse, Ph.D.

Abstract

Family-based treatment (FBT) is the first-line treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). Although FBT works for many, it does not work for everyone. The current study explored variables that are believed to impact treatment outcome in FBT, (a) initial weight gain, (b) parental criticism, and (c) obsessive-compulsive features, and investigated three additional factors expected to predict positive treatment outcome, (d) fear of food, (e) exposure to feared foods, and (f) parent-child concordance. Participants were 240 children, adolescents, and young adults with AN or other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) enrolled in a family-based partial hospitalization program (PHP). Pearson correlations and hierarchical linear regression models were used to explore predictors of treatment outcome. The amount of weight gain by Week 4 was a significant predictor of weight outcomes. Obsessive-compulsive features, meal anxiety, gain in percent of expected body weight (EBW), and more parent-reported symptoms were significant predictors of psychological outcomes. Results from this study may help to improve treatment response in PHPs based on FBT principles.

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