A rational emotive behavior therapy-based intervention for binge eating behavior management among female students: a quasi-experimental study

Jiwon Yang,Kuem Sun Han

doi:10.1186/s40337-020-00347-8

Abstract

BackgroundBinge eating behavior is highly likely to progress to an eating disorder, with female students particularly at risk.ObjectiveThis study aimed to verify the effect of a binge eating behavior management program, based on rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), on binge eating behavior and related cognitive and emotional factors among female college students.MethodThe study, conducted from November 1 to December 2, 2016, involved a pretest-posttest design and nonequivalent control group. The sample included 24 and 22 first- to third-year students, from a college in South Korea, in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Data were collected using self-esteem, covert narcissism, perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression, and binge eating scales and analyzed via frequency analysis, χ2 tests, t tests, and analysis of covariance.ResultsThe results indicated that the REBT-based binge eating behavior management program exerted positive effects on participants’ self-esteem, reducing covert narcissism, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression, and binge eating. However, there was no significant difference in perfectionism, although the experimental group’s mean score decreased from pretest to posttest.ConclusionsBased on the results, the program was considered to be effective, and is expected to be useful in preventing the development of eating disorders among female college students by treating binge eating behavior and related cognitive and emotional factors. This intervention could ultimately contribute to the improvement of female college students’ health and quality of life.

Highlights

Binge eating behavior is highly likely to progress to an eating disorder, with female students at risk
The results indicated that the rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)-based binge eating behavior management program exerted positive effects on participants’ self-esteem, reducing covert narcissism, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression, and binge eating
Emotional, and behavioral techniques used in rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), aimed at treating binge eating behavior among female college students

Summary

Introduction

Binge eating behavior is highly likely to progress to an eating disorder, with female students at risk. 37.75% of female college students in South Korea have been shown to be at risk of developing eating disorders, with 38.6% misguidedly considering themselves overweight, leading to problems with their dietary behavior [2]. According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment (HIRA) Service, the incidence of eating disorders in Korea rose by 18.8% over 5 years from 2008 to 2012, with an annual increase of 4.5%. Of all those diagnosed with eating disorders, 49.2% are between their teens and 30s, highlighting the gravity of the problem among the younger generation. One study observed that the percentage of female students exhibiting abnormal eating behaviors, such as restrained and binge eating, is consistently on the rise, from 11.3% in 2009 to 21.5% in 2014 [5]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion