The German version of the Anorectic Behavior Observation Scale (ABOS).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of the German version of the Anorectic Behavior Observation Scale (ABOS) as a parent-report screening instrument for eating disorders (ED) in their children. METHODS: Parents of 101 ED female patients (80 with Anorexia Nervosa; 21 with Bulimia Nervosa) and of 121 age- and socioeconomic status (SES)-matched female controls completed the ABOS. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original three-factor structure model of the ABOS. Cronbach's alpha coefficients indicated good internal consistency for the three factors and the total score in the total sample. The best cut-off point (100% sensitivity and specificity) in the German version was >or=23. CONCLUSION: The ABOS may be a useful additional instrument for assessing ED.

[Family-oriented group therapy in the treatment of female patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa--a pilot study]. / Familienorientierte Gruppentherapie zur Behandlung von Patientinnen mit Anorexia und Bulimia nervosa--eine Pilotstudie.

OBJECTIVES: Family therapy has proven effective in the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) in adolescence. While cognitive-behavioural treatment has been shown to be effective in adult patients suffering from BN, there have been few studies on the effectiveness of psychotherapy in the treatment of adolescents. Since in the majority of AN patients their illness starts in mid-adolescence, and in late adolescence in BN patients, it is crucial to develop and evaluate treatment programmes for these disorders and age groups. In view of these arguments, a programme of group psychotherapy was set up for eating-disordered patients and their parents, combining disorder-specific psychoeducational components with a family group psychotherapy approach that is more open with regard to individual treatment goals. Patients participated together with their parents in the same group. METHODS: The treatment programme was evaluated within the framework of a naturalistic single-group study design. Pre-post changes were assessed. RESULTS: 32 female patients (29 with AN, 3 with BN) and their parents took part in the treatment programme. All of the families completed the programme, which was interpreted as a high rate of acceptance. Pre-post analysis revealed a decrease in the degree of eating-disorder symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The advantages and disadvantages of this treatment programme, as well as the limitations of the pilot study are critically discussed.