Table 1 Minding the adolescent in family-based inpatient treatment

Main theme 1:

There are no ready-made solutions. Staff should facilitate collaboration by tailoring treatment toward the young person’s perspectives

Subtheme 1: It’s not always best to go by the book (N = 25)

Subtheme 2: Managing the balance between the symptoms and the person (N = 18)

Subtheme 3: Managing the balance between flexibility and firmness (N = 25)

Main theme 2:

Emphasizing skills that matter. Staff should display a non-judgmental stance, educate patients, stimulate motivation, enable activities and prevent iatrogenic effects during the stay

Subtheme 1: Beware of stereotypes and prejudice: cultivating respect and curiosity (N = 24)

Subtheme 2: Exploring and working with personal goals: strengthening the young person’s own motivation for recovery (N = 20)

Subtheme 3: Providing information and transferring knowledge in meaningful ways (N = 15)

Subtheme 4: Enabling a shift of focus by providing activities (N = 14)

Subtheme 5: Addressing and working with covert ED-behaviors at the ward: be attentive and preventive (N = 13)