Eating Disorder Sample Research Articles

Examining the association between body trust and body mass index with quantile regression.

Schachter's externality theory posits a connection between the inability to eat according to internal cues and higher body mass index (BMI); however, related work has not investigated associations between body trust and the wide range of BMIs found in general samples. This study examined the association between body trust and BMI across levels of BMI to determine whether this relationship differed as a function of BMI level. Participants were 534 adults (55.4% female), mean age 36years, BMIs 15.13-67.90 (M = 27.89, SD = 7.25), recruited via MTurk. They completed self-report assessments of body trust, height, and weight. Quantile regression was utilized to estimate effects of body trust on BMI at five equidistant quantiles of BMI. Overall linear regression analyses indicated that body trust was significantly negatively associated with BMI. Quantile regression revealed a significant negative relationship at each quantile of BMI, and Wald tests indicated the association was significantly stronger at the 0.7 and 0.9 quantiles than at the 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 quantiles, which did not differ. Quantile regression identified a stronger relationship between body trust and BMI at 0.7 and 0.9 quantiles than at 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 quantiles of BMI. Results align with the externality hypothesis, which suggests those at higher weights experience difficulty using internal cues to guide eating. A weaker-than-expected association between body trust and low BMI may be due to restricted range (few low-BMI participants). Replication in eating disorder samples is merited. Level V, cross-sectional descriptivestudy.

Adult attachment in eating disorders mediates the association between perceived invalidating childhood environments and eating psychopathology

This study aimed to evaluate the associations between perceived invalidating childhood environments, attachment in intimate relationships and eating psychopathology, to explore how these variables interact with each other, and to explore potential mediators to this pattern of association in a clinical eating disorder (ED) sample. One hundred thirty-seven ED outpatients were evaluated with the Invalidating Childhood Environments Scale (ICES), the Eating Disorder-15 (ED-15) and the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory (ECR). Paternal invalidation was associated to the ED-15 total score through avoidance of proximity and anxiety over abandonment, while maternal invalidation was only associated to the ED-15 total score through avoidance of proximity. Our results highlight the potential role of the perception of an invalidating family environment in the development of eating pathology and of difficulties in intimate relationships. These results endorse the relevance of address parental invalidation and promote adequate emotion regulation strategies and interpersonal competencies in the context of intimate relationships.

An exploratory study on the intergenerational transmission of dieting proneness within an eating disorder population.

Parents and families are not the sole factor in eating disorder (ED) development and their involvement in recovery is crucial. However, parents provide a social and environmental context for a child's eating and weight that cannot be completely discounted. The purpose of this study was to explore the intergenerational transmission of dieting behavior within an ED sample. Participants (N = 65) were recruited for this cross-sectional study through four distinct ED treatment sites. Participants completed a questionnaire that was developed previously to examine parental feedback as predictor variables, as well as completing the Eating Pathology Severity Index (EPSI) as an outcome variable. A total of 60 completed the questionnaire items of interest to be included in the analyses. SAS JMP® 13.0 was used for descriptive analyses, correlations, and multivariable linear regressions. Results of the multivariable linear regression showed that the amount of variance explained by the final model for eating pathology severity (via the EPSI) doubled when parental feedback was included (Model 1: R2= 0.09, Model 2: R2= 0.20). Additionally, there was a significant relationship between the "Negative Direct Parental Feedback Subscale" and EPSI total scores (ß = 14.1; SD = 7.0; p = 0.05). These findings of increased eating pathology associated with direct parental feedback in a clinical population of ED participants even when controlling for parental ED history suggests greater attention is needed within the ED literature on social and environmental factors and their potential associations with eating pathology. Level V, descriptive study.

Factor analysis of the eating disorder diagnostic scale in individuals with bipolar disorder

PurposeTo examine the potential factor structure of the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (EDDS) in a sample of individuals with bipolar disorder. MethodExploratory common factor analyses were conducted in a sample of 1031 people with bipolar disorder as defined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR. ResultsApproximately 27% of participants had a comorbid eating disorder. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a 3 factor solution (i.e., shape/weight concerns; binge eating behaviors, compensatory behavior). ConclusionsThe 3-factor solution of the EDDS in a bipolar disorder sample is consistent with major eating disorder symptom domains. Future research is necessary to replicate these findings in eating disorder samples with diverse comorbid psychopathology.

Meta-analysis of the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy for binge-eating-type disorders on abstinence rates in nonrandomized effectiveness studies: Comparable outcomes to randomized, controlled trials?

The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for eating disorders is well-established. The extent to which CBT tested in controlled research settings generalizes to real-world circumstances is unknown. We conducted a meta-analysis of nonrandomized studies of CBT for eating disorders, with three aims: (a) to estimate the prevalence of patients who achieve binge-purge abstinence after CBT in routine practice; (b) to compare these estimates with those derived from two recent meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of CBT for bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge-eating disorder (BED); (c) to examine whether the degree of clinical representativeness of studies was associated with effect sizes. Twenty-seven studies, mainly involving BN, were included. Pooled event rates were calculated using random effects models. The percentage of treatment completers who achieved abstinence at post-treatment was 42.1% (95% CI = 34.7-50.0). The intention-to-treat (ITT) estimate was lower (34.6% [95% CI = 29.3-40.4]). However, abstinence rates varied across diagnoses, such that the completer and ITT analysis abstinence estimates were larger for BED samples (completer = 50.2%, 95% CI = 29.4-70.9; ITT = 47.2%, 95% CI = 29.8-65.2) than for BN (completer = 37.4%, 95% CI = 29.1-46.5; ITT = 29.8%, 95% CI = 24.9-35.3) and atypical eating disorder samples (completer = 37.8%, 95% CI = 20.2-59.3; ITT = 28.8%, 95% CI = 18.2-42.4). No relationship between the degree of clinical representativeness and the effect size was observed, and our estimates were highly comparable to those observed in recent meta-analyses of RCTs. Findings suggest that CBT for eating disorder can be effectively delivered in real-world settings. This study provides evidence for the generalizability of CBT from controlled research settings to routine clinical services.

Repetitive negative thinking predicts eating disorder behaviors: A pilot ecological momentary assessment study in a treatment seeking eating disorder sample

BackgroundRepetitive negative thinking is a transdiagnostic process that occurs across several psychological disorders, including eating disorders. Individuals with eating disorders have higher levels of repetitive negative thinking than controls, and repetitive negative thinking is associated with eating disorder behaviors. However, no study has measured how momentary repetitive negative thinking may subsequently impact daily eating disorder behaviors and vice-versa. MethodIn the current study (N = 66, recently treated individuals recruited from an eating disorder treatment center), we examined the relationship between repetitive negative thinking and subsequent eating disorder behaviors and vice-versa using ecological momentary assessment. ResultsWe found that higher momentary repetitive negative thinking predicted higher subsequent weighing and body checking. We also found that higher momentary meal-specific repetitive negative thinking predicted higher subsequent weighing and lower subsequent compensatory behavior. We also found that higher repetitive negative thinking predicted higher eating disorder symptoms at one-month follow-up. ConclusionThere are short-term and long-term negative effects of repetitive negative thinking in the eating disorders. Targeting repetitive negative thinking may be important for decreasing eating disorder behaviors.

Validation of the clinical perfectionism questionnaire in an eating disorder sample: A bifactor approach.

Clinical perfectionism is involved in the etiology and maintenance of eating disorders. Limited research has examined the factor structure of the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire (CPQ) in clinical eating disorder samples. The aim of this research was to examine the validity and reliability of the CPQ in a mixed eating disorder sample. Patients (N = 211) with an eating disorder completed the CPQ at pretreatment. A bifactor model was tested that included a general clinical perfectionism factor and two group factors; overevaluation of striving and concern over mistakes. The unique contributions that general and group factors make to the prediction of eating disorder symptoms were also investigated. Unidimensional, correlated two-factor, and bifactor models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. A bifactor structure for a revised 10-item version of the CPQ provided the best fit, with a strong and reliable general clinical perfectionism factor. The general clinical perfectionism factor and the overevaluation of striving group factor explained reliable variance in the CPQ, and but only the general factor predicted eating disorder symptoms. The results suggested that a total score is generally appropriate for assessing clinical perfectionism in a clinical eating disorder sample.

A systematic review of reviews of neurocognitive functioning in eating disorders: The state-of-the-literature and future directions.

In recent years there has been increasing clinical and empirical interest in neurocognitive functioning in eating disorders (EDs), which has resulted in numerous quantitative and qualitative reviews. However, there has yet to be a comprehensive synthesis or critical review of this literature to identify future directions to advance the field in this area. Therefore the aim of this systematic review of systematic reviews was to (a) characterize the existing literature on neurocognitive functioning in EDs based on recent reviews (i.e., published since 2010), (b) describe related limitations, and (c) suggest avenues for future research to address gaps in the current literature. Electronic databases were queried for reviews of neurocognitive domains (i.e., inhibitory control, decision-making, central coherence, set-shifting, working memory, and attention bias) in EDs, which identified 28 systematic and meta-analytic reviews. Broadly, the literature indicates deficits across these neurocognitive domains in EDs, though heterogeneity was noted in the magnitude of these effects, which varied to some extent across ED subtypes, sample characteristics, and methodological approaches. While these reviews have generally suggested varying patterns of neurocognitive deficits across EDs, there remain critical limitations regarding the methodological quality of these studies (e.g., the lack of prospective designs, consideration of confounding influences, or examination of interrelationships between neurocognitive domains and relationships between neurocognition and other relevant behavioral constructs). Specifically, we outline 10 key areas that are imperative to address in future research in this area in order to move our field forward.

Reciprocal influence of distress and group therapeutic factors in day treatment for eating disorders: A progress and process monitoring study.

Eating disorders (EDs) are chronic mental illnesses with high levels of psychological, social, and health burden. Day treatment programs (DTP) are effective group-based partial hospital models that have been used to treat EDs for several decades. However, few studies have examined the factors associated with reduced distress in ED patients who participate in DTP groups. Related to this is whether change in distress is preceded by change in positive group processes, or vice versa. In this study, we examine the reciprocal relationship between growth of group therapeutic factors and change in distress in an ED sample. Participants were patients with an ED (n = 156) who took part in a 12-week DTP at a tertiary care hospital center. On a weekly basis, patients completed progress- and process-monitoring measures. We hypothesized: (a) positive changes in distress and in group therapeutic factors across weeks of DTP and (b) a bidirectional relationship between change in distress and group therapeutic factors. We found a significant growth of group therapeutic factors and decline in distress over the 12 weeks of DTP. We also found evidence for a reciprocal relationship between change in group therapeutic factors and change in distress. Group therapists working in DTPs for patients with EDs can enhance the benefits of treatment by focusing on group therapeutic processes, which in turn reduces distress, which then acts to enhance the ability of an individual to benefit from group interactions. (PsycINFO Database Record

Nonsuicidal self-injury and disordered eating: Differences in acquired capability and suicide attempt severity

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and eating disorders are both strongly related to suicide behaviors, and both can be conceptualized as painful and provocative events that associate with acquired capability for suicide. Individuals who self-injure report greater acquired capability than those who do not engage in these behaviors, but results are mixed in eating disorder samples. Given that NSSI and disordered eating (DE) commonly co-occur, it is important to examine how acquired capability for suicide and suicide attempt severity may differ between individuals who engage in either, both, or neither of these behaviors. It was expected that individuals with both NSSI and DE would report the greatest acquired capability, assessed by fearlessness about death and fear about suicide, and suicide attempt severity, compared to NSSI only, DE only, and controls. In a sample of 1179 undergraduates, results indicated no differences on fearlessness about death, but the NSSI + DE group reported the lowest scores on fear of suicide and greatest suicide attempt severity compared to the other groups. Differences between fearlessness about death and fear about suicide are discussed, as well as the possible additive effect of engaging in both direct (NSSI) and indirect (DE) self-harm on fear about suicide and suicide risk.

Validation of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-64): a comparison of Swedish female outpatients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa and controls

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-64) and to compare levels of interpersonal distress in Swedish female outpatients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa with age- and gender-matched controls.Methods: Totally, 401 participants were included; anorexia nervosa (n = 74), bulimia nervosa (n = 85) and controls (n = 242). All participants completed the IIP-64. The eating disorder (ED) patients also filled out the Eating Disorder Inventory-2/3 (EDI).Results: Internal consistency of IIP-64 was acceptable to high. Principal component analyses with varimax rotation of the IIP-64 subscales confirmed the circumplex structure with two underlying orthogonal dimensions; affiliation and dominance. Significant correlations between EDI-3 composite scales ineffectiveness and interpersonal problems and IIP-64 were found. ED patients reported higher levels of interpersonal distress than controls on all but one subscale (intrusive/needy).Conclusions: IIP-64 can be considered to have acceptable to good reliability and validity in a Swedish ED sample. IIP-64 can be a useful complement in assessment of interpersonal problems in ED.

S68. Affective and Neurocognitive Dimensions in a Transdiagnostic Eating Disorder Sample: Examining Measurement Convergence and Associations With Clinical Symptoms

S68. Affective and Neurocognitive Dimensions in a Transdiagnostic Eating Disorder Sample: Examining Measurement Convergence and Associations With Clinical Symptoms

Validation of the exercise and eating disorder questionnaire in males with and without eating disorders.

ObjectiveThe need to consider gender when studying exercise in eating disorder (ED) has been underscored. The study aimed to test the psychometric properties and factor structure of the exercise and eating disorder (EED) questionnaire for males with and without ED, to highlight gender differences, and to explore issues relevant for a male version of the EED questionnaire.MethodThis cross sectional study included 258 male participants: 55 ED patients (inpatients and outpatients) and 203 student controls. The patient group consisted of 54.5% (n = 30) with AN, 18.2% (n = 10) with BN, 27.2% (n = 15) with unspecified ED. The ED sample was treated as transdiagnostic in all analyses. t Tests, chi‐square test, correlations analyses, and a principal component analysis were conducted.ResultsThe analyses confirmed that the EED questionnaire had adequate psychometric properties, and a four‐factor solution: (a) compulsive exercise, (b) positive and healthy exercise, (c) awareness of bodily signals, and (d) weight and shape exercise. The questionnaire discriminated significantly (p < .01– < .001) between patients and controls on the global score, subscales, and 16 out of 18 individual items. Convergent validity was demonstrated by high correlations between the EED questionnaire and the eating disorder examination questionnaire (r = .65).DiscussionThe results indicated that the EED questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for males. It is a clinically derived, self‐report questionnaire to assess compulsive exercise among ED patients, regarding attitudes and thoughts toward compulsive exercise and identification of treatment targets and priorities

Network analysis: An innovative framework for understanding eating disorder psychopathology.

Network theory and analysis is an emerging approach in psychopathology research that has received increasing attention across fields of study. In contrast to medical models or latent variable approaches, network theory suggests that psychiatric syndromes result from systems of causal and reciprocal symptom relationships. Despite the promise of this approach to elucidate key mechanisms contributing to the development and maintenance of eating disorders (EDs), thus far, few applications of network analysis have been tested in ED samples. We first present an overview of network theory, review the existing findings in the ED literature, and discuss the limitations of this literature to date. In particular, the reliance on cross-sectional designs, use of single-item self-reports of symptoms, and instability of results have raised concern about the inferences that can be made from network analyses. We outline several areas to address in future ED network analytic research, which include the use of prospective designs and adoption of multimodal assessment methods. Doing so will provide a clearer understanding of whether network analysis can enhance our current understanding of ED psychopathology and inform clinical interventions.

Out of touch: Interoceptive deficits are elevated in suicide attempters with eating disorders

ABSTRACTPeople with eating disorders have elevated interoceptive deficits and risk for self-injurious behaviors (SIBs). Across two eating disorder samples, the relationship between interoceptive deficits (IDs) and SIBs was tested. Study 1 (n = 100) found that suicide attempters and those engaging in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) had greater IDs than those with no self-injury history. Lack of access to emotion regulation strategies accounted for the link between IDs and SIBs. In Study 2 (n = 92) multiple suicide attempters had greater IDs than single attempters and those engaging in NSSI; however, the latter two groups did not differ from one another. Interoceptive deficits may differentiate those who engage in severe SIBs from those who do not, and thus be a useful determinant of suicide risk severity among patients with eating disorders. Lack of access to emotion regulation strategies appears to be one pathway linking interoceptive deficits and self-injury.

Fear of food prospectively predicts drive for thinness in an eating disorder sample recently discharged from intensive treatment

Fears of food are common in individuals with eating disorders and contribute to the high relapse rates. However, it is unknown how fears of food contribute to eating disorder symptoms across time, potentially contributing to an increased likelihood of relapse. Participants diagnosed with an eating disorder (N=168) who had recently completed intensive treatment were assessed after discharge and one month later regarding fear of food, eating disorder symptoms, anxiety sensitivity, and negative affect. Cross lagged path analysis was utilized to determine if fear of food predicted subsequent eating disorder symptoms one month later. Fear of food—specifically, anxiety about eating and feared concerns about eating—predicted drive for thinness, a core symptom domain of eating disorders. These relationships held while accounting for anxiety sensitivity and negative affect. There is a specific, direct relationship between anxiety about eating and feared concerns about eating and drive for thinness. Future research should test if interventions designed to target fear of food can decrease drive for thinness and thereby prevent relapse.

The Starvation Symptom Inventory: Development and Psychometric Properties.

Background: Starvation symptoms are common in patients with anorexia nervosa, and according to the transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural theory for eating disorders, they contribute to maintaining the eating disorder psychopathology. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the design and validation of the Starvation Symptoms Inventory (SSI); a self-report questionnaire that examines the symptoms of starvation in underweight patients with eating disorders. Methods: 150 female patients with anorexia nervosa were recruited, as well as 341 healthy control subjects, 30 not-underweight patients with an eating disorder, and 15 patients with bipolar depressive episodes. The 150 patients completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and the Brief Symptom Inventory. All participants rated their starvation symptoms on a continuous Likert-type scale (0–6), and reported the number of days in which they had experienced them in the previous 28 days. Results: Principal component analysis identified a single-factor, 15-item scale, which demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.91) and test–retest reliability (r = 0.90). The SSI global score was significantly correlated with eating disorder and general psychopathology, demonstrating good convergent validity. SSI scores were significantly higher in the anorexia nervosa sample than in the healthy control, not-underweight eating disorder and bipolar depressive episode samples. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the SSI is a valid self-report questionnaire that may provide important clinical information regarding symptoms of starvation in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Expanding exposure-based interventions for eating disorders.

Initial trials evaluating exposure-based interventions for eating disorders (EDs) in the 1980s demonstrated mixed results. Since that time, innovations in exposure therapy for anxiety disorders have yielded insights that can be used to refine and expand the approach to effectively target ED behaviors. This article provides a brief summary of relevant advances in exposure therapy for anxiety and outlines how these advances may be adapted and evaluated for use with ED samples. More specifically, we propose shifting to an inhibitory learning framework, considering treatment targets other than fear, and increasing variability in exposure techniques represent three important areas for future study. Overall, this article aims to provide professionals in the field with a framework for how to incorporate cutting-edge advances in exposure therapy into rigorous intervention research for EDs.

Psychometric Evaluation and Norms for the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) in a Clinical Eating Disorders Sample.

Altered interoceptive awareness (IA) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of eating disorders; however, few comprehensive self-report measures of IA exist in eating disorders. The present study sought to validate the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), originally developed to assess IA in individuals practicing mind-body therapies, in an eating disorder sample. Adult and adolescent patients (n = 376) completed assessments upon admission to a partial hospital programme. Analyses examined the factor structure of the MAIA, scale means, scale-scale correlations, internal consistency and construct validity. Analyses also examined associations between MAIA subscales and eating disorder symptoms. Results supported the original eight-factor structure of the MAIA. Internal consistency was acceptable, and the scales converged with associated measures. Importantly, Not Distracting, Self-regulation, Body Listening and Trusting were most strongly associated with eating disorder symptoms. Results support use of the MAIA among eating disorders and provide further support for the relevance of IA in eating disorders. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Characteristics of patients in an eating disorder sample who dropped out: 2-year follow-up.

This manuscript explores the characteristics of individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder who dropped out of treatment, compared with those who completed it. The participants were 196 patients diagnosed with eating disorders (according to DSM-IV-TR criteria) who consecutively began treatment for the first time in an eating disorders unit. They were assessed at baseline with a set of questionnaires evaluating eating habits, temperament, and general psychopathology. During the follow-up period, patients who dropped out were re-assessed via a telephone interview. In the course of a 2-year follow-up, a total of 80 (40.8%) patients were labeled as dropouts, and 116 (59.2%) remaining subjects were considered completers. High TCI scores in the character dimensions of Disorderliness (NS4) (p<.01) and total Novelty Seeking (NST), along with low scores in Dependency (RD4), were significantly associated with dropout in the course of 2years. Once the results were submitted to logistic regression analysis, dropout only remained associated with high scores in Disorderliness (NS4) and, inversely, with an initial Anorexia Nervosa (AN) diagnosis (p<.05). Reasons for dropout stated by the patients included logistic difficulties, subjective improvement of their condition, and lack of motivation. Clinicians should handle the first therapeutic intervention with particular care in order to enhance their understanding of clients and their ability to rapidly identify those who are at risk of dropping out of treatment. Level III: Cohort Study.