Chilean study explores virtual group therapy for adolescent eating disorders

A qualitative study published in the Journal of Eating Disorders provides new insights into how adolescent patients and their caregivers experience virtual group workshops for the treatment of eating disorders. Conducted in Chile, the research examines the subjective experiences of individuals receiving outpatient care at the Eating Disorders Unit (UTAL) of the Red de Salud UC Christus. The study focuses on the specific dynamics of the virtual format, the group interactions, and the relational processes that participants identify as contributing to their perception of therapeutic change. As the first study in Chile to explore these subjective experiences in virtual group workshops for eating disorders, the findings offer a detailed look at the role of group-based virtual interventions within multidisciplinary treatment contexts.

The research team, led by Gabriela Espinoza Nehgme and colleagues, employed a qualitative design to understand the participation experiences of the patients and caregivers. The study involved in-depth interviews with six adolescent patients and five caregivers, comprising three mothers and two fathers. By using grounded theory for data analysis, the researchers developed an explanatory model known as the Multidimensionality of Change Model. This model articulates the analytical categories and their relationships, providing a structured framework for understanding how participants perceived their therapeutic progress through the virtual workshops.

Regarding group dynamics, participants described a progressive shift in their engagement over time. Initially, many reported discomfort and passivity, but these feelings gradually gave way to active participation and a growing sense of belonging. This transition was facilitated by peer interaction, the sharing of experiences, and the facilitation provided by therapists.

The virtual format itself presented both challenges and distinct benefits to the participants. While there were initial difficulties in adapting to the online medium, participants valued the reduced opportunity for body comparison, which is a significant concern in the treatment of eating disorders. The virtual setting also offered greater logistical flexibility, allowing participants to join from a private space.

Relational processes with others emerged as a central theme in the participants’ accounts. Patients and caregivers reported experiencing mutual recognition, empathy, and emotional validation from both peers and therapists. These relational dynamics were associated with perceived changes across six distinct domains. These domains include relationships with peers and therapists, family and social relationships, emotional regulation, self-perception, symptom awareness and management, and the projection of changes beyond the workshops into daily life. The study suggests that these interpersonal connections were crucial in facilitating the therapeutic process.

From the perspective of the adolescent patients, the changes appeared to occur in several key areas, including their emotional states, relationships with family and others, self-perception, and the management of their eating disorder symptoms. The participants described a gradual improvement in their ability to regulate emotions and engage with their social environments. They described changes in how they communicated with and supported their children, as well as shifts in their own emotional responses and a heightened sense of preparedness to handle challenges related to their child’s treatment.

Chile implemented some of the strictest lockdowns worldwide, which necessitated rapid adaptation of treatment approaches. The UTAL launched a program of virtual group workshops to ensure the continuity of care during this period. These workshops have continued to the present day as part of the unit’s hybrid model of care, which combines online and in-person treatment.

The study concludes that virtual group workshops can facilitate change as perceived by the participants, with these changes appearing to be progressive. Social bonds with other participants, therapist interventions, and specific characteristics of the virtual and group formats played a key role in facilitating these changes. By providing a detailed account of the experiences of both adolescents and their caregivers, the research contributes to a broader understanding of how group-based virtual interventions function within the context of multidisciplinary eating disorder treatment.

Subject of Research: Qualitative analysis of adolescent and caregiver experiences in virtual group workshops for eating disorders in Chile

Article Title: Experiences of adolescent patients and their caregivers in virtual group workshops for the treatment of eating disorders: a qualitative study

Article References: Nehgme, G. E., Valenzuela, M. E. G., Latorre, R. J., Soto, A. G., Hidalgo, N. Z., Álvarez, N. A., Colao, C. A., & Martinez, M. V. (2026). Experiences of adolescent patients and their caregivers in virtual group workshops for the treatment of eating disorders: a qualitative study. Journal of Eating Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-026-01814-4

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s40337-026-01814-4

Keywords: eating disorders, virtual therapy, adolescent health, qualitative research, group dynamics, caregiver experience, Chile, mental health, online treatment, therapeutic change, Experiences, adolescent