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Readiness for change and short-term outcomes of female adolescents in residential treatment for anorexia nervosa

  1. Matthew D. McHugh PhD, CRNP, MPH, JD*

Article first published online: 3 JUL 2007

DOI: 10.1002/eat.20425

Issue

International Journal of Eating Disorders

International Journal of Eating Disorders

Volume 40, Issue 7, pages 602–612, November 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

McHugh, M. D. (2007), Readiness for change and short-term outcomes of female adolescents in residential treatment for anorexia nervosa. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 40: 602–612. doi: 10.1002/eat.20425

Author Information

  1. The Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

*The Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Claire M. Fagin Hall, 418 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6096

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 26 SEP 2007
  2. Article first published online: 3 JUL 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 13 MAY 2007

Funded by

  • National Institutes of Health (NIH). Grant Numbers: T32-NR-007104, P30-NR-005043

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Keywords:

  • readiness for change;
  • anorexia nervosa;
  • recovery;
  • length of stay;
  • survival analysis;
  • outcomes;
  • quality of life;
  • transtheoretical model

Abstract

Objective:

To determine if readiness for change (RFC) at admission predicted length of stay (LOS) and short-term outcomes among female adolescents in residential treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN).

Method:

Using a prospective cohort design to collect data from participants (N = 65) at admission and discharge, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox regression tested whether RFC on admission predicted time in LOS to a favorable short-term outcome—a composite endpoint based on minimum criteria for weight gain, drive for thinness, depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Results:

Participants with low RFC had a mean survival time to a favorable short-term outcome of 59.4 days compared to 34.1 days for those with high RFC (log rank = 8.44, df = 1, p = .003). The probability of a favorable short-term outcome was 5.30 times greater for participants with high RFC.

Conclusion:

Readiness for change is a useful predictor of a favorable short-term outcome and should be considered in the assessment profile of patients with AN. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2007

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