19 May 2026
Bilbao
The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Deusto and the Biscay Mental Health Network (Osakidetza) have jointly developed the REBITA project (Resilience and Well-Being in Eating Disorders), an innovative initiative aimed at improving the psychological well-being of people with eating disorders (ED) and their primary caregivers.
The project, carried out between 2023 and March 2026, has been funded by the “la Caixa” Foundation through the Conecta 2022 Call for Proposals (LCF/PR/CX22/65010006), in which REBITA was one of the five projects selected.
REBITA proposes two psychological interventions that complement standard treatment for eating disorders, based on positive psychology. Its aim is to strengthen personal, emotional and relational resources in both patients and their families, contributing to improved quality of life and coping with the condition.
One of the project’s key innovations has been the use of participatory co-creation methodologies. The interventions have been designed by integrating scientific evidence and lived experience, through the active involvement of people with eating disorders (ED), caregivers and mental health professionals.
The project has given rise to two distinct programmes: REBITA-TCA, aimed at adults with eating disorders, and REBITA-C, aimed at caregivers. REBITA-TCA addresses areas such as emotional regulation, psychological flexibility and the strengthening of habits aligned with personal values. REBITA-C aims to improve family communication, increase understanding of the recovery process and reduce the emotional burden associated with caregiving.
The interventions have been developed by psychologists Carlota Las Hayas and Besaide Astobiza from the DeustoMED research team at the University of Deusto, and by psychiatrists Pedro Muñoz, Jesús Ángel Padierna and Edurne Losa from Osakidetza.
The programme combines in-person group sessions with subsequent access to an online platform designed to facilitate ongoing access to content and support the maintenance of the skills developed during the intervention.
After completing the development and co-creation phase, the research team is currently working on preparing future phases of clinical evaluation aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the interventions in real-world healthcare settings.
