Abstract
Aim
To present a grounded theory of the contribution that fathers make to family-based treatment when a young person has anorexia nervosa.
Background
Research indicates a potential to improve outcomes by involving both parents in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. However, fathers are underrepresented both within treatment and research. Family-based treatment requiring the involvement of both parents presents an opportunity to better understand the role of the father in treatment.
Design
Classic grounded theory.
Methods
Individual interviews conducted with fifteen fathers involved in family-based treatment. The COREQ checklist was followed.
Results
Fathers valued being involved in family-based treatment and felt they had an important contribution to make. The analysis captures the overall contribution that fathers make and the impact of their involvement. Four categories; Being on the Outside, Finding a Way In, Finding a Way to Be and Finding a Way to Let Go and one core category Repositioning were generated from the data. A substantive theory of Rescripting, generated from categories and the core category, describes the way that participating in family-based treatment changes fathers and their role.
Conclusions
Fathers make an important and significant contribution to family-based treatment when a young person has anorexia nervosa. The findings inform clinicians about the importance of including fathers in the treatment of young people with anorexia nervosa. They highlight the importance of incorporating support mechanisms into family-based treatment to harness and maximise the paternal contribution.
Relevance to clinical practice
Paternal contribution to family-based treatment can be maximised to improve outcomes for young people with anorexia nervosa.
To present a grounded theory of the contribution that fathers make to family-based treatment when a young person has anorexia nervosa.
Background
Research indicates a potential to improve outcomes by involving both parents in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. However, fathers are underrepresented both within treatment and research. Family-based treatment requiring the involvement of both parents presents an opportunity to better understand the role of the father in treatment.
Design
Classic grounded theory.
Methods
Individual interviews conducted with fifteen fathers involved in family-based treatment. The COREQ checklist was followed.
Results
Fathers valued being involved in family-based treatment and felt they had an important contribution to make. The analysis captures the overall contribution that fathers make and the impact of their involvement. Four categories; Being on the Outside, Finding a Way In, Finding a Way to Be and Finding a Way to Let Go and one core category Repositioning were generated from the data. A substantive theory of Rescripting, generated from categories and the core category, describes the way that participating in family-based treatment changes fathers and their role.
Conclusions
Fathers make an important and significant contribution to family-based treatment when a young person has anorexia nervosa. The findings inform clinicians about the importance of including fathers in the treatment of young people with anorexia nervosa. They highlight the importance of incorporating support mechanisms into family-based treatment to harness and maximise the paternal contribution.
Relevance to clinical practice
Paternal contribution to family-based treatment can be maximised to improve outcomes for young people with anorexia nervosa.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1598-1611 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Journal of Clinical Nursing |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 11-12 |
| Early online date | 26 Aug 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Jun 2022 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- anorexia nervosa
- family-based treatment
- fathers
- grounded theory