Associations between therapy experiences and perceived helpfulness of treatment for people with eating disorders

Abstract Background Although eating disorders cause significant impairment to an individual’s function, many people disengage from treatment. There is a paucity of literature that focuses on both positive and negative aspects of eating disorder treatment experiences as perceived by the experiencing person. This study aimed to identify the associations between features of therapy with perceived treatment helpfulness across individuals’ most and least helpful treatment experiences. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was developed and disseminated, with the data of participants (n = 235) being utilised for statistical analyses, including multiple linear regressions. Results As predicted, factors in the therapeutic relationship such as the therapist’s ability to instil a sense of hope, provide freedom of choice, understand the person, and address participant concerns had significant explanatory value in perceived treatment helpfulness. Contrary to our hypothesis, change being retrospectively identified as important or possible by the participant did not have a high degree of relation. These outcomes highlighted the significance of the therapeutic relationship in governing positive treatment experiences and responses. The results also suggested motivation to change when commencing treatment may not be strongly related to perceived treatment helpfulness and support further exploration.

【摘要】
【研究背景】尽管进食障碍（Eating Disorders）会对个体的社会功能造成显著损害，但众多患者仍会中途脱离治疗。目前相关研究文献较为匮乏，少有研究同时关注亲历者自身所感知到的进食障碍治疗体验的正反两面。本研究旨在明确：在患者自认为最具帮助性与最无帮助性的治疗体验中，治疗特征与患者感知到的治疗帮助度之间的关联。

【研究方法】本研究开发并发布了一项线上横断面调查（cross-sectional survey），共纳入235名参与者的数据，采用包括多元线性回归（multiple linear regressions）在内的统计方法进行分析。

【研究结果】如预期所示，治疗关系（therapeutic relationship）相关因素——如治疗师能够培养希望感、赋予患者自主选择权、理解患者本人以及回应参与者的关切——对患者感知到的治疗帮助度具有显著的解释效力。与本研究假设相悖的是，参与者经回顾认定改变具有重要性或可行性的相关因素，与治疗帮助度并未呈现显著关联。上述结果凸显了治疗关系在调控患者积极治疗体验与治疗应答中的重要作用。本研究结果同时表明，患者在治疗初始阶段的改变动机，或许与感知到的治疗帮助度并无较强关联，该结论有待后续进一步探索验证。