Longitudinal follow‐up of a comprehensive operationalization of eating disorder recovery: Concurrent and predictive validity

Abstract

Objective We aimed to replicate the concurrent validity of a comprehensive definition of eating disorder recovery (physical, behavioral, and cognitive indices) in a sample followed up 7–8 years from baseline, and to examine, for the first time with this comprehensive definition, predictive validity. Method Participants were 66 women with a history of an eating disorder and 31 age‐matched controls who completed an online survey and phone interview. Results In general, women who were fully recovered were statistically indistinguishable from controls and had significantly less eating disorder attitudes and behaviors than the partially recovered and eating disorder groups. Being fully recovered at baseline was a robust predictor of stability: of those fully recovered at baseline, 80% remained fully recovered at follow‐up. One‐third of those with an eating disorder and one‐half of those in partial recovery at baseline attained full recovery at follow‐up. Discussion These findings support the current operationalization of eating disorder recovery, encompassing physical, behavioral, and cognitive indices, as valid and highlight that full recovery is not only possible but predicts full recovery years later. Future research should examine this operationalization in diverse samples and study trajectories of recovery to identify predictors.

Design and testing of a health economic Markov model for treatment of anorexia nervosa

“…Psychiatric recovery can be difficult to operationalize [29], and remains in a developing stage in the field of AN [30,31]. While many patients with AN can reach an extended period of considerable improvement, many still experience long-term residual symptoms [30,[32][33][34].…”

Lived experience perspectives on a definition of eating disorder recovery in a sample of predominantly white women: a mixed method study

“…Subsequent studies have reported a similar pattern of results on measures of perfectionism, self-concept, coping, negative affect, negative urgency, eating expectancies, objectified body consciousness, motivation for exercise, and body appreciation and intuitive eating [ 23 – 31 ]. There is also preliminary evidence that this definition is valid among men [ 32 ] and predictive of sustained ‘full recovery’ status as defined by the Bardone-Cone definition [ 33 ]. It is important to note however, that all of these studies except for Bardone-Cone et al [ 32 ] were conducted in the same sample of women recruited from a child and adolescent treatment program, calling into question the generalizability of this model.…”

Eating disorder recovery in men: A pilot study

“…This pilot study considers whether the Bardone‐Cone et al criteria identify a recovered group among men with a history of an eating disorder. These criteria were selected because they have demonstrated concurrent validity, albeit in women (Bardone‐Cone et al, ), and have initial support for predictive validity (Bardone‐Cone et al, ), with full recovery (physical, behavioral, and cognitive recovery criteria) at baseline predicting meeting criteria for full recovery 7–8 years later. Furthermore, initial research comparing comprehensive definitions of recovery proposed by Pike (), Kordy et al (), and Bardone‐Cone et al () concluded with the recommendation to adopt the Bardone‐Cone et al criteria in assessing recovery (Ackard, Richter, Egan, & Cronemeyer, ).…”