The perception of patients' relatives with Eating disorders about the support group

• Grant number: 14/19080-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2015
• End date: December 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Psychological Treatment and Prevention
• Principal Investigator: Manoel Antônio dos Santos
• Grantee: Fernanda Pires Garcia
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The perception of patients' relatives with eating disorders about the support group Eating disorders (ED) are a group of serious eating disorders, which are subdivided into Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and Binge-Eating Disorder. The multifactorial etiology includes familial factors. As this is a psychopathology that can develop into a chronic condition, the question about treatment adherence is considered a critical point, demanding multidisciplinary care and the involvement and active participation of the family included as part of the patients' treatment plan. In the reorientation of the health care model, the group psychotherapy model, in particular, the support groups in the outpatient context, have been suggested as strategies to be used by health services. However, little is known about the perception of the participants about these groups, which demands investments in research to clarify the relevance given to the group by those who participate and support it, by delineating circumscribing its limits and its potential. It is hypothesized that the involvement of family members of patients with ED in the treatment as a whole may be potentiated by these groups, which would increase the motivation of these patients to remain in treatment and recover from their symptoms. It is also believed that, if the therapeutic alliance is well established and if there is genuine involvement of relatives in the treatment plan, patients may feel protected and supported to confront the challenges and ambivalences on their treatment pathway. Given these assumptions, the present study aims to investigate the perception of patients' relatives with ED about support groups that they are participating in. It is a clinical-qualitative study. All patient's relatives diagnosed with AN and BN participating in weekly meetings of support groups will be included. This is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory approach, cross-sectional study. The convenience sample will be composed of patients' relatives affected by ED linked to a specialized university hospital service. Complementing the clinical-qualitative methodological framework referential, the critical incident conceptualization will be used. The theoretical framework to be used for the data analysis is the systematization of therapeutic factors proposed by Yalom. For data collection will be used in a Form Socio-Demographic Data and the Critical Incident Questionnaire (CIQ), in order to evaluate the strengths and difficulties perceived by the family during the support group. Interviews will be conducted individually, in face-to-face situations, along with a single encounter, consecutive to the end of the group session meeting. Interviews will be audio-recorded upon authorization of the participants. After data collection, the audio-recorded content will be transcribed literally and in full. Subsequently, the data will be subjected to thematic content analysis. To do so, we will investigate the perspective from how participants understand the situations shared in the group, in terms of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors awakened. It is believed that the resulting knowledge can favor the development of intervention strategies and the development of new practices in the care provided by health professionals, including patients with ED and their families. (AU)