Parent psychoeducation groups in the treatment of adolescents with eating disorders

Parents of adolescents with eating disorders show high levels of emotional distress, which may contribute to less functional coping with the illness of their child. In our department a psycho-educational group program is been offered to the parents of 153 children and adolescents with anorexia and bulimia nervosa. According to their own reports parents are highly interested in gaining information about the eating disorder and appreciate this means of support to help them to cope with the illness of their child.