Cognitive interpersonal maintenance model of eating disorders: Intervention for carers

Abstract

Background: Carers of people with eating disorders report high levels of distress. In addition, carers' responses to the illness may perpetuate eating disorder symptoms. A cognitive interpersonal maintenance model of eating disorders is proposed and interventions for carers may improve well-being in both carers and patients. Aims: To examine an interpersonal maintenance model of eating disorders, using a self-help intervention for carers. Method: A pre-test-post-test design was used with carers randomised into self-help or guided self-help, which included the Expert Carers Helping Others (ECHO) intervention. Carers' distress, well-being, proposed maintenance factors, and carer reports on the status of the patient were measured. Results: Carers' distress reduced and secondary outcomes improved. Improvement in carers' status and perceived improvements in patients were associated with reductions in expressed emotion and in accommodating and enabling behaviours. Self-help and guided self-help versions were comparable. Conclusions: Changes in maintenance factors from the theoretical model were associated with a reduction in carers' distress and improvement in perceived patient functioning. Interventions which specifically target maintaining factors may be of benefit.