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- Forsén Mantilla, Emma, et al.
(author)
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Factor analysis of the adolescent version of the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) : results from Swedish general population and clinical samples
- 2017
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In: Journal of Eating Disorders. - : BMC. - 2050-2974. ; 5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Although the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) is perhaps the single most widely used self-report measure of eating disorder (ED) symptoms, important questions remain about its validity and applicability in relation to particular groups of individuals, especially adolescents of both genders. Methods: The present study investigated the factor structure of the adolescent version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) in samples of Swedish girls and boys from the general population and girls with a diagnosed eating disorder. Girls (N = 239) and boys (N = 248) aged between 13 and 15 years who were attending school, and girls (N = 570) aged between 12 and 14 years who were in treatment for an eating disorder at a specialist eating disorder clinic were assessed on the adolescent version of the EDE-Q. Results: The adolescent version of the EDE-Q demonstrated satisfactory levels of internal consistency. However, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) failed to support the four-factor model of the EDE-Q. Parallel analysis (PA) and subsequent exploratory factor analysis (EFA) suggested that the adolescent version of the EDE-Q comprises one underlying factor in young adolescent girls (both clinical and general population), centred on Dissatisfaction with Shape and Weight. In boys three factors were found: Weight-related Concerns, Body Discomfort and Restraint. Conclusions: The EDE-Q appears to measure different underlying aspects of eating disorder psychopathology in young teenagers compared to adults. The dimensions underlying disordered eating in young girls may become increasingly differentiated with time. There appear to be important gender-based differences in the dimensions underlying the EDE-Q in young teenagers. Therapists should be alert to beliefs that girls have about the importance of shape and weight, while in boys it may be more important to be attentive to how they feel about their bodies in relation to weight.
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| 2. |
- Forsén Mantilla, Emma
(author)
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Fatal attraction : the relationship between patients and their eating disorders, an interpersonal and attachment perspective
- 2017
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Eating disorders are severe psychiatric illnesses, causing immense suffering for patients, but also for their families and friends. Ambivalence about change and treatment resistance are common, and relapse rates are high. Patients with eating disorders tend to be highly selfcritical and self-attacking, much more so than other psychiatric populations. In this project interpersonal- and attachment theoretical principles were applied in an attempt to understand how and why these disorders are so strongly associated with how patients evaluate and treat themselves (self-image). The first aim was to study connections between self-image and eating disorder symptoms in different groups, to learn more about the quality and strength of such associations (Studies I and II). Further, according to interpersonal theory, we treat ourselves a certain way because important others, attachment figures primarily, have treated us that way. Some patients with eating disorders seem to spontaneously conceptualize their illness as an entity or a voice that they relate to. Therefore, the second aim was to test whether eating disorders could be re-conceptualized as dyadic relationships, possibly triggering attachment mechanisms (i.e. guided by the same mechanisms as other important relationships), and influencing how patients treat themselves as a result (Studies III and IV). All studies were cross-sectional. In Studies I and II, healthy, non-help-seeking and clinical groups of individuals aged 13-25 rated eating disorder symptoms and self-image. Boys (both healthy and clinical) were included in the first study, but all other samples were female. In Studies III and IV patients rated the relationship between themselves and their illness, attachment behaviours, symptoms and self-image. In Studies I-II, strong associations between specific aspects of self-image (primarily self-blame, and self-acceptance/love inversely) and symptoms were found. These associations were stronger in healthy girls compared to healthy boys, in clinical groups compared to healthy groups and in patients with anorexia nervosa compared to patients with bulimia nervosa. Older age seemed to weaken these associations except in the non-help-seeking group where associations were strong regardless of age. In Study III, patients seemed able to conceptualize their disorders as highly negative and enmeshed dyadic relationships. Higher eating disorder control and patient submission were associated with more severe symptomatology. Patients who reacted negatively toward their eating disorder had less symptoms and more positive self-image. In Study IV, attachment behaviours were correlated with aspects of the patient – eating disorder relationship, and as hypothesised from interpersonal theory and supporting attachment processes being active, for some individuals it seemed as if actions of their eating disorder matched their self-image. Placing eating disorders within a relational framework offers an explanation for how and why symptoms are related to self-image. It also offers a language that may help some patients and clinicians understand and work towards letting go of the illness. A focus on intrapersonal processes in the patient – eating disorder relationship and their potential connection to attachment-related issues may inform therapist interventions that could facilitate the development of a secure therapeutic relationship, and ultimately aid recovery.
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| 3. |
- Forsén Mantilla, Emma, et al.
(author)
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Insidious: The relationship between patients and their eating disorders and its impact on ED symptoms, illness duration and self-image
- 2017
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In: EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0924-9338 .- 1778-3585. ; 41, s. S552-S552
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Patients with eating disorders (EDs) often spontaneously talk about their disorder in terms of a symbolic other (a demon, a voice, a guardian). Further, externalizing exercises where patients are encouraged to separate their true self from their ED self are common in some treatment approaches. Yet, no previous quantitative study has investigated this phenomenon. We examined the patient-ED relationship (using the interpersonal structural analysis of social behavior methodology) and its implications for ED symptoms, illness duration and self-image. Participants were 16–25 year old female patients (N = 150) diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (N = 55), bulimia nervosa (N = 33) or eating disorder not otherwise specified (N = 62). Results suggested that patients had comprehensible and organized relationships with their EDs. EDs were primarily experienced as acting critical and controlling towards patients. Higher ED control was associated with more ED symptoms and longer illness duration, especially when coupled with patient submission. Patients reacting more negatively towards their EDs than their EDs were acting towards them had lower symptom levels and more positive self-images. Externalizing one's ED, relating to it like a symbolic other, seemed to make sense to patients and depending on its quality seemed to influence ED symptoms, illness duration and self-image. We put forward both clinical and theoretical implications based on the assumption that the patient-ED relationship may function in similar ways as real-life interpersonal relationships do.The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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