The Effectiveness of Adolescent-Focused Therapy and Family-Based Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa

Marni Stewart; Oliver Baumann

doi:10.1177/00332941241226687

The Effectiveness of Adolescent-Focused Therapy and Family-Based Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa

Marni Stewart
, Oliver Baumann

Faculty of Society & Design

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

458 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Anorexia Nervosa is the most deadly mental illness due to the high mortality and
relapse rates after reaching remission. The systematic review investigated the effectiveness of two empirically validated interventions (Family-Based Therapy [FBT] and Adolescent-Focused Therapy [AFT]) for an adolescent or young adult living with Anorexia Nervosa to reach partial or full remission and expected weight ratios. Twelve studies published between 1994 and 2015 were evaluated and indicated that FBT resulted in significant weight gain and higher partial and full remission rates than AFT, demonstrating its superiority in treating AN in adolescents and young adult samples, in one instance, at least up to 4 years. Despite FBT and AFT delivery, a significant proportion of participants did not achieve their target weight or full remission, indicating that both treatments may not be effective in all circumstances.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	7-28
Number of pages	22
Journal	Psychological Reports
Volume	129
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941241226687
Publication status	Published - Feb 2026

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This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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AB - Anorexia Nervosa is the most deadly mental illness due to the high mortality and relapse rates after reaching remission. The systematic review investigated the effectiveness of two empirically validated interventions (Family-Based Therapy [FBT] and Adolescent-Focused Therapy [AFT]) for an adolescent or young adult living with Anorexia Nervosa to reach partial or full remission and expected weight ratios. Twelve studies published between 1994 and 2015 were evaluated and indicated that FBT resulted in significant weight gain and higher partial and full remission rates than AFT, demonstrating its superiority in treating AN in adolescents and young adult samples, in one instance, at least up to 4 years. Despite FBT and AFT delivery, a significant proportion of participants did not achieve their target weight or full remission, indicating that both treatments may not be effective in all circumstances.

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The Effectiveness of Adolescent-Focused Therapy and Family-Based Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

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