Effects of Self-Focus on Stress and Eating Disorders
Author Information
Author(s): Rawal Adhip, Williams J. Mark G., Park Rebecca J.
Primary Institution: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford
Hypothesis
In individuals with a high level of ED psychopathology, an ED-specific stressor will elicit less dysfunctional reactions after experiential compared to analytical self-focus.
Conclusion
The mode of self-focus affects cognitive reactivity following a stressor in individuals with eating disorder psychopathology.
Supporting Evidence
- Experiential self-focus led to lower weight estimates after stress compared to analytical self-focus.
- Participants with high ED psychopathology showed less neutralisation after experiential self-focus.
- Analytical self-focus was associated with higher likelihood of weight gain perception.
Takeaway
How you think about yourself can change how you feel when you're stressed, especially for people with eating disorders.
Methodology
Two studies manipulated self-focus modes (analytical vs. experiential) in participants and measured their reactions to an eating-related stressor.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to self-report measures and the specific characteristics of the clinical sample.
Limitations
The sample consisted mainly of female students and partially weight restored patients, which may limit generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Participants were female students aged 18-26 and partially weight restored patients with anorexia nervosa.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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