This study examined the effectiveness of a systemic cybernetic counselling approach
with 3 females with bulimia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa is a relatively recent
diagnosed condition (1980). Thus, little is known about the efficacy of different
treatment approaches. The systemic cybernetic counselling approach (White; de
Shazer) which informs family therapy represents a potentially powerful form of
treatment in that it allows a complex construction of the problem.
The research design employed a multiple (3) single case study approach with
embedded units of analyses. The 3 women, aged 17 to 27, were seen over a 2-3
month period for 4-8 one hour sessions. Predicted patterns of non-equivalent
dependent variables were compared with empirically based patterns over time.
Continuous (including pre-, post-treatment and long-term follow up) assessment of
frequency of bingeing/purging was established as well as ratings on other dependent
variables - psychometric measures (Eating Disorders Inventory, Beck Depression
Inventory, Coopersmith Self Esteem Inventory), affective self reports and reports by
others.
Results show that all three clients eliminated bingeing/purging by post-treatment.
Two clients maintained this improvement on all dependent measures at long-term
follow up. The most marked improvements were associated with the least severe
pre-treatment scores.
In the case where the whole family attended counselling sessions, the number of
sessions was reduced.
On the basis of the results, systemic cybernetic counselling procedures hold promise
for the successful treatment of bulimia nervosa.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219081 |
| Date | January 1991 |
| Creators | Kayrooz, Carole, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Carole Kayrooz |
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