Incorporating Narrative Into the Treatment of Youth With Anorexia Nervosa

University of California, San Francisco8 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a narrative medicine (NM) curriculum can enhance self-expression, reflection, and resilience in adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does participation in an NM curriculum improve self-expression and reflection in individuals with anorexia nervosa? * Does engaging in creative writing and group discussion promote resilience and emotional processing in this population? Participants will be 16-25 years old, medically stable for outpatient eating disorder therapy, and actively engaged in treatment. Those with active suicidal ideation, recent non-suicidal self-injury, or a co-occurring personality disorder will not be eligible. Participants will: * Attend six weekly workshops (April-May 2025) focused on themes such as self-definition, kindness, resilience, and possibility * Engage in close reading of visual or written texts * Complete creative writing exercises in response to prompts * Participate in group discussions and sharing An optional capstone reading event will provide a supportive space for participants to share their work with peers, loved ones, and providers, fostering connection and community. This study aims to explore the role of narrative medicine in eating disorder treatment and assess its potential benefits for psychological well-being and self-expression.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa

Interventions

Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop SeriesBEHAVIORAL

The Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series is a structured six-week behavioral intervention designed to enhance self-expression, reflection, and resilience in adolescents and young adults recovering from eating disorders. This intervention differs from traditional psychotherapeutic or psychoeducational approaches by integrating literary analysis, creative writing, and guided discussion as therapeutic tools. Each one-hour weekly workshop includes: * Close reading of visual or written texts related to themes such as self-definition, resilience, kindness, and possibility * Creative writing exercises in response to structured prompts that encourage self-reflection and personal storytelling * Facilitated group discussions to foster connection, self-expression, and emotional processing in a supportive environment

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 16 YearsMax age: 25 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 16-25 years old * have a DSM-5 diagnosis of AN (confirmed by the UCSF Eating Disorders Program clinical team), * currently engaged in outpatient eating disorder treatment, ensuring medical stability and capacity for a group-based intervention * English fluency to engage in reflective writing and discussions * Cognitive ability to meaningfully participate in narrative-based exercises Exclusion Criteria: * Currently medically unstable or require inpatient hospitalization * History of psychosis, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or personality disorder * Severe neurocognitive impairment that would prevent engagement with the intervention * Active suicidal ideation or non-suicidal self-injury within the past two months * Insufficient English proficiency to participate in group discussions and writing exercises

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Number of participants in each session

Feasibility will be measured by participant retention in intervention.

Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (Week 6)

Satisfaction with intervention components using 5-point Likert scales and semi-structured individual interviews

Acceptability will be measured by questionnaire including 5-point Likert scales and semi-structured individual interviews assessing content relevance, writing prompts, group discussions, and facilitation. Scale title: Intervention Satisfaction Questionnaire (ISQ) Minimum value: 1 (Strongly Disagree) Maximum value: 5 (Strongly Agree) Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater satisfaction with the intervention (better outcome).

Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (Week 6)

Secondary Outcomes

Identity Clarity

Assessed using the Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory - Identity Subscale (EPS-Identity), which evaluates self-concept clarity and personal identity coherence. Scale title: Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory - Identity Subscale (EPS-Identity) Minimum value: 1 (Strongly Disagree) Maximum value: 5 (Strongly Agree) Interpretation: Higher scores indicate stronger identity development and consolidation (better outcome).