Comorbid Depressive Symptoms and Self-Esteem Improve After Either Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Bulimia Nervosa

摘要

This study examined the effect of Family-Based Treatment for bulimia nervosa (FBT-BN) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents (CBT-A) on depressive symptoms and self-esteem in adolescents with BN. Data were collected from 110 adolescents, ages 12–18, who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for BN or partial BN. Participants were randomly assigned to FBT-BN or CBT-A and completed measures of depressive symptoms and self-esteem before and after treatment and at 6-month and 12-month follow-up assessments. Depressive symptoms and self-esteem significantly improved in both treatments, and neither treatment appeared superior on these clinical outcomes. Parents often worry whether FBT-BN addresses comorbid depressive symptoms and low self-esteem. Our findings address this concern, as they demonstrate that FBT-BN does not differ from CBT-A in improving depressive symptoms and self-esteem, and both treatments result in symptom improvement. These findings can help clinicians guide families to choose a treatment that addresses BN and depressive symptoms and low self-esteem.