Innovative Interventions for Disordered Eating: A Pilot Comparison Between Dissonance-Based and Yoga Interventions

Abstract

INNOVATIVE INTERVENTIONS FOR DISORDERED EATING: A PILOT COMPARISON OF DISSONANCE-BASED AND YOGA INTERVENTIONS Karen S. Mitchell, B.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2005 Major Director: Suzanne E. Mazzeo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Psychology Disordered eating, including bingeing, dieting, purging, and clinical and subclinical forms of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, is prevalent among college-aged women. To date, few interventions have successfully reduced risk factors related to disordered eating. One promising intervention utilizes principles of cognitive dissonance to reduce thin-ideal internalization among women at risk for eating disorders. Additionally, the benefits of yoga, including increased awareness of bodily processes, offer hope that this practice might reduce disordered eating symptomatology. The current study compared cognitive dissonance and yoga interventions for disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that ,there were no significant differences between the yoga and control groups. However, participants in the dissonance group had significantly lower scores than both other groups on measures of disordered eating symptoms as well as thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, alexithymia, and anxiety. These findings have important implications for potential interventions on college campuses.