Relation between increasing attachment security and weight gain: a clinical study of adolescents and their parents at an outpatient ward

Abstract

Abstract Purpose We wanted to evaluate the impact of a relational focus in the treatment of adolescent ED-patients and their parents at an intensive outpatient ward, based on attachment theory, combined with a family approach and psychodynamic principles. Our aim was to investigate the distribution of different attachment styles among the adolescent ED-patients and their parents, and to find out if they could change by the treatment. Methods Swedish adolescents (n = 33; 3 boys, 30 girls) and their parents (n = 60; 34 mothers, 26 fathers) participated. Measures: Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), Body Mass Index (BMI) and Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) before and after treatment. Results The adolescents were high on Need for Approval (ASQ4) of the Insecure/Anxious scale before treatment (in contrast to the parents). The patients had a significant decrease in ASQ4 after treatment, which correlated inversely to the increase in BMI but not to CGAS. The mothers showed features of the Secure/Confident style, fathers of the Insecure/Avoidant with elevated Relationships as Secondary (ASQ2). Conclusions Treatment with a relational and a family focus has impact on attachment insecurity in adolescent ED-patients and outcomes in terms of BMI. It is important to engage the parents, who need to help the adolescents to separate at that developmental stage. A secure therapeutic context, which enables mentalizations and allows new relational experiences, is essential. The ASQ-instrument is useful in indicating how the treatment of ED-adolescents is proceeding. Level of evidence Level IV: evidence obtained from multiple time series with the intervention.

Keywords

• Attachment
• Eating disorders
• Adolescents
• Parents
• Clinical study