Evaluation of Self-esteem Group Therapy for Eating Disorders

Self-esteem group is a novel, manualised group programme designed for adolescent inpatients with eating disorders. Research questions: Does the self-esteem group improve self-esteem in adolescent inpatients with eating disorders? Are any changes in self-esteem maintained at 4 week follow-up after the group? Does eating disorder psychopathology improve more during admission for those who complete the self-esteem group compared to those who do not complete the group? Background: Low self-esteem has been established as a strong predictor of onset, maintenance and relapse in eating disorders. For patients with low self-esteem, change can be particularly difficult to achieve. The intensity of their low self-esteem leads them to strive to control their eating, weight and shape to gain a sense of self-worth and the pervasive negative view of themselves results in them seeing little or no prospect of recovery. This suggests treatment of low self-esteem is clinically and financially important. Studies have shown cognitive behavioural based group therapies improve self esteem in adults with eating disorders; however research including adolescents is limited. This research will contribute to the evidence base for self-esteem interventions in adolescents and inform the effectiveness of a new treatment. The research will be funded by Newbridge House, an inpatient unit for children and adolescents with eating disorders. Design: Inpatients at Newbridge House aged 11 - 18, fulfilling DSM-V criteria for an eating disorder will be recruited.Participants will be randomly allocated to a case or control group. Cases will receive the 6 week self-esteem group in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) and will be compared with controls who receive TAU. Both groups will complete a questionnaire pre-group, post-group and 4 weeks post-group. Admission and discharge questionnaires routinely collected will be examined to assess change in eating disorder psychopathology.