Set-shifting ability in young people with restrictive eating disorders

This thesis is presented in three parts. Part I is composed of a literature review which considers whether impaired set shifting fulfills the major criteria for an endophenotype in restrictive eating disorders. Based on 22 studies, the review evaluates whether set-shifting is reliably associated with restrictive eating disorders, co-occurs with plausible behaviours and finally shows evidence of heritability and state independence. Throughout features of the study designs and methodological issues are considered. Part II is the empirical paper which reports on a quantitative study. The study investigates the evidence for impaired set-shifting, perfectionism and behavioural rigidity in children and adolescents with restrictive eating disorders compared to age, gender and IQ matched healthy control children. The empirical study included joint data collection with another thesis (see Pooni, 2010). The challenges associated with the measurement of set-shifting and the implications of the findings are discussed. Part III is the critical appraisal which addresses the key conceptual and pragmatic issues I encountered during the study. I provide my personal reflections on the research process with a view to offering essential guidelines for future neuropsychological research in the field ofchild and adolescent eating disorders