Multifamily Therapy Effective in Managing Anxiety-Based School Refusal

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted at Cochin Hospital in Paris, France, has shown that multifamily therapy can be an effective tool in managing anxiety-based school refusal among adolescents, leading to positive outcomes for both parents and children. The study, involving 31 parents who participated in a multifamily therapy program, revealed that these parents experienced significant changes in their representations of their adolescent, their self-perception, and their family dynamics. Specifically, parents reported an increased sense of parental self-efficacy, better mentalization, and a positive impact on family interactions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Multifamily therapy has been shown to be effective in managing anxiety-related disorders, including anxiety-based school refusal.
  • The study involved 31 parents who participated in the MULTI FAST program, a multifamily therapy focused on anxiety-based school refusal.
  • Analysis of the interviews revealed four main themes: changes in parents' representations of their adolescent, parents looking at themselves in a new light, expression of parental distress to their adolescents, and better communication and stronger family groups.
  • Participation in the study was offered to all families who participated in a MULTI FAST group in 2022 and 2023, and a semi-structured interview was conducted with each parent six months after the end of the multi-family therapy.
  • The mean age for fathers was 51.5 (SD = 6.45) and 48.7 (SD = 4.77) for mothers.
  • The study concluded that multifamily therapy led to an increased sense of parental self-efficacy, better mentalization, and a positive impact on family interactions.

Statistics:

  • 31 out of 37 parents (84%) agreed to participate in the study.
  • 19 mothers and 12 fathers participated in the study.
  • The study was conducted over a two-year period, from 2022 to 2023.
  • The semi-structured interview was conducted six months after the end of the multi-family therapy.
  • 84% of parents who participated in the MULTI FAST group agreed to take part in the study.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers at Cochin Hospital Release New Data on Anxiety Disorders (Does multifamily therapy help parents of adolescents with anxiety-based school refusal? A qualitative approach). Health & Medicine Week. October 24, 2025; p 5558.
  • Does multifamily therapy help parents of adolescents with anxiety-based school refusal? A qualitative approach. PLOS One, 2025;20(10).
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