Abstract
ABSTRACT The current study aimed to examine the impact of theory of mind (ToM) deficits on body image delusionality in anorexia nervosa (AN) while accounting for the effect of other cognitive functions. ToM and other cognitive functions were assessed in 46 patients with AN and 42 healthy controls. We used the Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale to assess the degree of delusionality of body image beliefs in AN patients. Delusional body image beliefs were identified in 26.1% and overvalued ideas in 30.4% of the AN patients. Moderate but significant associations were found between impairments in ToM—overall capacity, cognitive and affective components—and body image delusionality. The effect of overall ToM performance on delusionality remained significant after controlling for other cognitive factors. General intelligence was also significantly associated with delusionality. Our findings support the notion that difficulties in taking the perspective of others contribute to insight impairment in AN. Further investigation is required to examine the effect of failures in social cognition and metacognition on insight in AN.
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