Self-image and eating disorders

Negative self-image is considered typical of eating disorders. The present thesis aimed to study clinically relevant aspects of self-image in adult patients taking part in a large naturalistic and longitudinal project at specialist units for eating disorders in Sweden. Self-image was measured using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB), and examined together with clinical and background variables at initial presentation and at follow-up. Important aspects of treatment, such as diagnosis, treatment satisfaction, outcome and dropout were the focus of four studies. In Study I, eating disorder patients were found to have more negative interpersonal profiles compared to controls. When diagnostic groups were compared, patients with anorexia nervosa were more self-controlling, self-hating and self-blaming, as well as less self-emancipated and self-loving. Patients with binge eating disorder were more self-affirming than patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, as well as less self-controlling than patients with anorexia nervosa and patients with atypical eating disorders. In Study II, patients who became unsatisfied with treatment were characterised by significantly more negative self-image, as well as higher levels of eating disorder and psychiatric symptoms compared to satisfied and highly satisfied patients. Unsatisfied patients expressed higher expectations of treatment interventions focusing on insight and lower expectations of interventions focusing on control. Overall satisfaction with treatment was predicted by interventions focusing on support and control of eating problems. In Study III, high levels of self-hate were significantly related to poor outcome; other variables related to poor outcome included low occupational status, problematic interpersonal relationships, eating disorder symptoms, high levels of self-emancipation, and psychiatric symptoms. In Study IV, patients who dropped out had less negative self-image and fewer psychological problems at intake compared to patients who had completed treatment or who were still in treatment; low levels of self-blame predicted dropout. Results of these studies suggest that eating disorder patients have significant problems with negative self-image. Examining self-image at initial assessment may help to identify patients at risk for negative therapeutic interactions. It may be especially important for therapists to pay attention to underlying interpersonal dynamics, to avoid being drawn into interactions that confirm negative self-image and are detrimental to treatment

Personality predicts drop-out from therapist-guided internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for eating disorders. Results from a randomized controlled trial

Internet-based guided self-help cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) seems a promising way of delivering eating disorder treatment. However, treatment drop-out is a common problem and little is known about the correlates, especially in clinical settings. The study aimed to explore prediction of drop-out in the context of a randomized controlled trial within specialized eating disorder care in terms of eating disorder symptomatology, personality traits, comorbidity, and demographic characteristics. 109 outpatients diagnosed with bulimia nervosa or similar eating disorder were randomized to two types of ICBT. Participants were assessed with several clinical- and self-ratings. The average drop-out rate was 36%. Drop-out was predicted by lower scores in the personality traits Dutifulness and Assertiveness as measured by the NEO Personality Inventory Revised, and by higher scores in Self-affirm as measured by the Structural Analysis of Social Behaviour. Drop-out was also predicted by therapist factors: one therapist had significantly more drop-outs (82%) than the other three (M = 30%). Theoretical and clinical implications of the impact of the predictors are discussed

Personality predicts drop-out from therapist-guided internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for eating disorders : Results from a randomized controlled trial

Internet-based guided self-help cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) seems a promising way of delivering eating disorder treatment. However, treatment drop-out is a common problem and little is known about the correlates, especially in clinical settings. The study aimed to explore prediction of drop-out in the context of a randomized controlled trial within specialized eating disorder care in terms of eating disorder symptomatology, personality traits, comorbidity, and demographic characteristics. 109 outpatients diagnosed with bulimia nervosa or similar eating disorder were randomized to two types of ICBT. Participants were assessed with several clinical- and self-ratings. The average drop-out rate was 36%. Drop-out was predicted by lower scores in the personality traits Dutifulness and Assertiveness as measured by the NEO Personality Inventory Revised, and by higher scores in Self-affirm as measured by the Structural Analysis of Social Behaviour. Drop-out was also predicted by therapist factors: one therapist had significantly more drop-outs (82%) than the other three (M = 30%). Theoretical and clinical implications of the impact of the predictors are discussed

Initial self-blame predicts eating disorder remission after 9 years

Background Research into predictors of outcome in eating disorders (ED) has shown conflicting results, with few studies of long-term predictors and the possible importance of psychological variables that may act as risk- and maintenance factors. Aim To identify baseline predictors of ED remission nine years after initial clinical assessment using self-report measures of ED psychopathology, psychiatric symptoms, and self-image in a sample of adult ED patients (N = 104) treated at specialist units in Stockholm, Sweden. Sixty patients participated in the follow-up, of whom 41 patients (68%) had achieved remission. Results Results suggested that the only significant predictor of diagnostic remission after nine years was initial levels of self-blame. Conclusion In order to ensure long-term recovery in ED it may be important for clinicians to widen their therapeutic repertoire and utilise techniques that reduce self-blame and increase self-compassion. Plain English summary It is difficult to predict how an eating disorder will develop, and research has found varying factors that affect the outcome of the condition. Recovery rates vary from nearly nil to over 90%. This variation could be explained by different research factors, but are more likely due to varying definitions of recovery, with less stringent definitions yielding high recovery rates and more stringent definitions yielding lower rates. The present study investigated whether the severity of eating disorder symptoms and other psychiatric symptoms could predict recovery nine years from first admission to specialised eating disorder care. Sixty patients at three eating disorder treatment units participated, and their scores on self-report measures of symptoms were used as predictor variables. Forty-one participants had no eating disorder diagnosis at nine-year follow-up. Most participants with binge-eating disorder had recovered, while the poorest outcome was found for anorexia nervosa with slightly over half of patients recovered after nine years. The only predictor for the nine-year outcome was a higher initial rating of self-blame, measured with the Structural Analysis of the Social Behavior. It was concluded that it may be important for clinicians to detect and address self-blame early in the treatment of eating disorders in order to enhance the possibility of recovery. Treatment should focus on reducing self-blame and increasing self-acceptance.Funding Agencies|Kalmar Regional Council, Sweden</p

Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for bulimic eating disorders in a clinical setting : Results from a randomized trial with one-year follow-up

Background Those who suffer from eating disorders often experience serious impairment in quality of life and the majority never receive treatment. Treatment availability may be increased by implementing methods that demand less resources and are more easy accessible such as internet-based treatments, but knowledge about their effects is still insufficient. The study evaluated effects of two types of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy and a structured day patient program, the latter being a standard treatment at an eating disorder clinic at the time for the study. Methods 150 participants with bulimic eating disorders randomized to two types of internet based treatments (one pure online treatment and one based on a self-help guide in book-format) or an intensive 16-week day patient program. The number of participants that started treatment was 120 of which 98 in internet treatment and 22 in the day program. Outcome assessments were carried out at baseline, post treatment, and at one-year follow-up. Results All treatments were associated with significantly improved eating disorder pathology, self-image, and clinical impairment. Although the day program generally showed larger effects, only one significant difference found was in diagnostic remission post treatment; 51 % of the participant was in remission in internet treatment and 88 % in the day program. At one-year follow-up, participants in the internet treatments had continued to improve, whereas in the day patient program the effect sustained. Internet treatment had a 36 % drop out rate, there were no dropouts found in the day program. Conclusions All treatments were comparable in effect at follow-up, suggesting that internet treatment is a conceivable alternative to standard treatment. Internet treatment in a book-based format was also equally effective as a pure online format. Internet delivered cognitive behavioral treatment forms can make important contributions to achieve increased access to treatment for patients with bulimic eating disorders. Future research and clinical implications for internet delivered treatments in eating disorder services are discussed

Study protocol for the ‘preventing functional decline in acutely hospitalised older patients (PREV_FUNC)’ study: effects of two multicomponent exercise programmes on physical function – a three-armed randomised controlled trial

Introduction Acutely hospitalised older patients often live with frailty and have an increased risk of impaired physical function. Previous studies suggest that exercise might mitigate the risk of physical impairment; however, further research is needed to compare the effect of different types of exercise interventions. In this paper, we report a protocol for a trial that aims to examine (1) if multicomponent exercise interventions (interventions that include both mobility and strengthening exercises) have effects on physical function compared with usual care in older adults and (2) if a comprehensive multicomponent exercise programme is more effective than a simple multicomponent exercise programme that only include walking and sit-to-stand exercises.Methods and analysis This is a three-armed randomised controlled trial, with two intervention groups (comprehensive and simple exercise programme) and a control group receiving usual care. We will include 320 participants aged ≥75 years from geriatric medical departments of four hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden. Assessments will be conducted at hospital admission, discharge and 3 months thereafter concerning physical function (primary outcome), activities of daily living, health-related quality of life, sarcopenia and falls. The number of readmissions will be registered up to 1 year after discharge. Data will be analysed with linear mixed effects models, according to the intention-to-treat approach.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval for this trial has been granted by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (approval number 2022-03032-01). Data collection will consider the information requirement, the requirement of consent, confidentiality obligations and the utilisation requirement. Trial findings will be disseminated through multiple channels, including scientific publications and conferences, and workshops with healthcare professionals and the public.Trial registration number NCT0536607