Neuroscience and mental health
25 years of paediatric brain, nerve and muscle research
Researchers and honoured guests of the Kids Neuroscience Centre (KNC) were joined by patients and families at Government House to celebrate 25 years of innovative research; finding answers and transforming the lives of children with neurological conditions and their families.
The event was an opportunity to recognise the tremendous bravery, commitment and contribution families provide to research. It is their participation that help drive research innovation for children living with neurological conditions.
The last 25 years of research has only been possible through the generous support of families, partner organisations and donors...
Investigating ways to improve treatment methods for young people with anorexia
Multi-family therapy (MFT) is a unique treatment approach that is growing in popularity for adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and their families. MFT brings together multiple families to work with a team of clinicians for four consecutive days of treatment with the aim create change thought experiential/activity-based content and purposeful use of group processes. There is growing evidence that the MFT is beneficial, for young people and their families, however there is limited understanding of how it works and what specifically drives change.
Researchers and clinicians explored the interactive group processes associated with MFT and how these interactions might influence change in MFT. The researchers collected observational data from two MFT groups and conducted qualitative interviews and focus groups with young people, parents, and facilitators. Data suggested that relational processes and learning processes occurred within individual families and between families in the group. These processes were understood to contribute to wider whole group dynamics where emotional safety and collective momentum built across the week. Facilitator responsiveness was crucial in navigating uncertainty and supporting these processes. These themes were understood to be interconnected and contributed to a way forward towards recovery for the individual families and for the group as a whole.
These findings suggests that MFT may utilise interactions within families, between families and with facilitators to create change for adolescents experiencing AN and their families. Given these group dynamics are unique to the MFT setting, this treatment may offer a valuable alternative for families who are not responding to traditional single-family therapy. This research was led by our Eating Disorders Research group at Kids Research through the Eating Disorder Service at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.