Ecological momentary assessment of bulimia nervosa: Does dietary restriction predict binge eating?

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between caloric restriction (CR) and binge eating (BE) using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Participants included 133 women with bulimia nervosa (BN) who completed an EMA protocol for 2 weeks. Logistic regression analyses tested whether CR increased the probability of BE episodes. The results revealed that the odds of BE increased on the day that restriction occurred as well as on the following day. In addition, both restriction and BE on one day predicted the likelihood of BE the subsequent day, but restriction for two days prior to the episode failed to add additional information for predicting BE. These findings support the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) model of BN, suggesting that self-reported dietary restriction is predictive of subsequent BE episodes, and that reducing dietary restriction in treatment may lead to improvements in bulimic symptoms.     

Randomised controlled trial of a guided self-help treatment on the Internet for binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a common and under-treated condition with major health implications. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) self-help manuals have proved to be efficient in BED treatment. Increasing evidence also support the use of new technology to improve treatment access and dissemination. This is the first randomised controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of an Internet guided self-help treatment programme, based on CBT, for adults with threshold and subthreshold BED. Seventy-four women were randomised into two groups. The first group received the six-month online programme with a six-month follow-up. The second group was placed in a six-month waiting list before participating in the six-month intervention. Guidance consisted of a regular e-mail contact with a coach during the whole intervention. Binge eating behaviour, drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction and interoceptive awareness significantly improved after the Internet self-help treatment intervention. The number of objective binge episodes, overall eating disorder symptoms score and perceived hunger also decreased. Improvements were maintained at six-month follow-up. Dropouts exhibited more shape concern and a higher drive for thinness. Overall, a transfer of CBT-based self-help techniques to the Internet was well accepted by patients, and showed positive results for eating disorders psychopathology.     

Through the eyes of dieters: Biased size perception of food following tempting food primes

Why do some dieters succeed in controlling their diet while others do not? This research focused on a perceptual process—size perception of food objects—that may moderate the success of dieters in self-control dilemmas. We assessed successful and unsuccessful dieters' size perception of palatable food (Study 1) and diet-food (Study 2) after pre-exposing them to tempting food primes. Dieters perceived palatable food as bigger when primed with tempting food (vs. control prime), regardless of self-regulatory success in dieting (Study 1). Palatable food thus looms larger for both unsuccessful and successful dieters when in a “hot” state. In contrast, the perceived size of diet-food was increased by a tempting food prime only for successful dieters, but decreased for unsuccessful dieters (Study 2). These results are interpreted in terms of differences in the mental accessibility of competing goals (eating enjoyment vs. dieting) in successful vs. unsuccessful dieters. Indeed, when the dieting goal was made accessible for all dieters by a diet prime, even unsuccessful dieters perceived diet-food as bigger (Study 2). This research provides insight into a perceptual process that may be detrimental or beneficial in resolving self-control conflicts in the domain of eating and dieting behavior—and probably other domains of self-control as well.     

Nonsuicidal self‐injury across cultures and ethnic and racial minorities: A review

The field of nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) is dominated by research conducted with Caucasian‐majority samples in Western countries such as United States, Canada, Australia and European countries. This article critically reviewed the empirical research on NSSI in non‐Western countries and among ethnic/racial minority individuals who live in the West to give voice to and understand the patterns of NSSI among individuals who do not fall within the dominant Caucasian majority. The study found both similarities and differences between Western and non‐Western data in terms of characteristics and functions of NSSI. Differences in gender patterns in regards to prevalence of NSSI and methods used as well as presence of a more relational functionality of NSSI rather than emotion regulation functionality were two points of divergence in the findings of these studies. In addition, the findings seem to indicate that the role of ethnicity/race is mediated by important factors such as socioeconomic status (SES) and gender. Existing gaps in the literature and suggestions for further research are discussed.     

The consistency of inconsistency in serial homicide: patterns of behavioural change across series

Linkage analysis is a crucial part of the investigative process when faced with a possible series of related offences. Establishing behavioural consistency (i.e., offender's behaviours consistently present across the series) is at the core of linkage. Recent empirical studies have found little evidence of consistency looking at either individual or groups of behaviours in serial homicide. It is argued that behavioural changes are rooted in the changing cognitive strategies that offenders use to reach their ultimate goal (i.e. the commission of multiple homicides). Factors that could account for these changes include learning, situational factors, loss of control, and changes in the offender's fantasy. Patterns of behavioural change have been identified in serial crimes, such as rape. However, no empirical studies have looked at patterns of behavioural change in serial homicide. The present study examined patterns of consistency and change using a combination of thematic and behavioural subgroup approaches that use Multidimensional Scaling. Thematic differentiation indicative of behavioural manifestations of cognitive strategies was found in all three examined subgroups: planning, wounding, and offender–victim interaction, and patterns of change within these subgroups provided support for the above theories. Looking at behavioural patterns rather than individual behaviours, may be a more fruitful way of examining consistency in serial homicide, and could have significant implications for linkage analysis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

音乐节奏和共餐人数对就餐时间的影响

本实验采用现场实验研究的方法,对不同音乐节奏和共餐人数条件下大学生就餐时间的差异进行了分析。结果表明:(1)总的来说,音乐节奏对就餐时间的主效应是显著的,快节奏音乐下的就餐时间少于慢节奏下的就餐时间;(2)单人组被试就餐时间显著快于多人组被试共餐时间;(3)音乐节奏和共餐人数对就餐时间存在交互作用;(4)在单人就餐时音乐节奏对就餐时间的效应是显著的,而多人共餐则没有这种效应或效应不显著。     

The impact of advertisements featuring ultra‐thin or average‐size models on women with a history of eating disorders

Previous research demonstrates that exposure to ultra‐thin media models leads to increased body image concerns amongst women (Groesz, Levine, & Murnen, 2002 ). There is emerging evidence that attractive, average‐size models do not have this negative effect and can be effective in advertising (e.g. Halliwell & Dittmar, 2004 ). The present study investigates these factors amongst women with a history of eating disorders. Participants either viewed advertisements featuring ultra‐thin, average‐size or control images. Immediately after exposure, they reported their body‐focused anxiety and rated the effectiveness of the advertisements. Whereas exposure to ultra‐thin models did not lead to increased body‐focused anxiety, exposure to average‐size models produced a relief effect, whereby women reported lower levels of body‐focused anxiety. Advertisements featuring ultra‐thin and average‐size models were equally effective. The results suggest that average‐size, attractive models could be used effectively in advertising, which may help to relieve body image concerns amongst these women. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Examination of Psychosocial Correlates of Disordered Eating among Undergraduate Women

Multivariate analyses were used to compare key eating behavior, cognitive, affective, and body variables to determine the similarities and differences between eating-disordered, symptomatic, and asymptomatic female undergraduates. On the eating behavior (i.e., bulimic symptoms, concern for dieting, weight fluctuation), and some of the cognitive (i.e., impression management, approval by others, dichotomous thinking, self-control, rigid weight regulation, weight and approval) and body (i.e., concern with body shape, satisfaction with face) variables, the eating-disorder group reported the most severe symptoms, followed linearly by the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. On the affective (i.e., sad, anxious, guilty, shameful, stressed, happy, confident, overall self-esteem) and the remaining cognitive (i.e., vulnerability, catastrophizing) and body (i.e., importance of being physically fit and being attractive, satisfaction with body) variables, the symptomatic and eating-disorder groups did not differ from one another but had higher levels of distress than did the asymptomatic women. These findings suggest that (1) counselors need to be aware that a large percentage of female undergraduates are nondiagnosable yet experience eating-disorder symptoms, and (2) these symptomatic women are experiencing high levels of distress, particularly in the areas of affect and body image.A version of this article was presented at the 110th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL, August, 2002     

Developing a model of the treatment for eating disorder: Using neuroscience research to examine the how rather than the what of change

Treatments for eating disorders, in particular for people with anorexia nervosa, have often been adaptations of therapies designed for other conditions. Indeed, there is a move advocating the use of a transdiagnostic treatment approach in which general module based treatments are mixed together as needed rather than using a specific anorexia nervosa targeted strategy. The outcome of treatment is relatively poor, especially for those who for some reason do not have the benefit of an expert form of early intervention for anorexia nervosa. Technological advances in the neurosciences and genetics have radically altered how eating disorders and in particular anorexia nervosa have been conceptualised. In this paper we describe evidence that suggests that key aspects of the social information processing network both the cognitive and affective elements may be anomalous in people with anorexia nervosa. This has implications for models of treatment which can be tailored more directly to these causal and or maintaining factors. We describe the Maudsley method of working with adults with anorexia nervosa which has integrated these elements. This treatment approach includes working with the individual to develop a more flexible and holistic cognitive style with greater emotional intelligence. This is supplemented with work with the families to interrupt interactions that either accommodate to or aggravate the symptoms. Thus we are now in the position to understand and work to change how people with anorexia nervosa think and behave rather than focusing on what people think and say they do. Our prediction is that treatments that focus more directly on aetiology such as the intrapersonal and interpersonal maintaining factors will improve outcome.