A meta‐analysis of the relation between therapeutic alliance and treatment outcome in eating disorders

The therapeutic alliance has demonstrated an association with favorable psychotherapeutic outcomes in the treatment of eating disorders (EDs). However, questions remain about the inter‐relationships between early alliance, early symptom improvement, and treatment outcome. We conducted a meta‐analysis on the relations among these constructs, and possible moderators of these relations, in psychosocial treatments for EDs. Twenty studies met inclusion criteria and supplied sufficient supplementary data. Results revealed small‐to‐moderate effect sizes, βs = 0.13 to 0.22 (p