We have completed five MFT-BN programs over the past 5 years. Throughout
the development of the program we have been guided by formal and informal
feedback from participants. This feedback has been broadly consistent
with that reported from multi-family groups with other clinical populations,
particularly in their sense of the group being a support and noticing improvements
in family relationships (Eisler, LeGrange, & Asen, 2003). There are
indications from feedback that the groups have served to allow families to
incorporate new ways of coping with the disorder and with communicating
with each other. A qualitative study using focus groups is underway to
further explore the acceptability and perceived benefits of this intervention.
Preliminary analysis of clinically collected outcome data indicates reductions
in eating disorder symptoms and depression and increase in use of adaptive
skills for coping (see Table 1).