Mindfulness and eating disorder psychopathology: A meta‐analysis

Abstract

Objective: Mindfulness is implicated in eating disorder (ED) psychopathology. However, this literature has not been synthesized to date. The current meta-analysis examined the associations between mindfulness and ED psychopathology.Methods: A total of 74 independent samples (effects = 576) were included. We used a multilevel random-effects model to estimate summary study-level effect sizes, and multilevel mixed-effects models to examine moderator effects.Results: Mindfulness was negatively associated with ED psychopathology (r = −.25, p < .001), both concurrently (r = −.25, p < .001) and prospectively (rs = −.22 to −.24, ps < .001). Associations were strongest for binge eating, emotional/external eating, and body dissatisfaction as well as the acting with awareness and nonjudging facets.Discussion: Mindfulness may be an important process in ED psychopathology.Future research should prospectively and experimentally examine the relation between mindfulness and ED psychopathology. ResumenObjetivo: La atención plena (mindfulness) está implicada en la psicopatología de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA). Sin embargo, esta literatura no ha sido sintetizada a la fecha. El presente meta-análisis examinó las asociaciones entre la atención plena y la psicopatología de los TCA.Métodos: Se incluyeron un total de 74 muestras independientes (efectos = 576). Utilizamos un modelo de efectos aleatorios multinivel para estimar la síntesis de los tamaños de efecto por nivel de estudio, y los modelos de efecto mixto multinivel para examinar los efectos moderadores.Resultados: La atención plena fue asociada negativamente con la psicopatología de TCA (r = −.25, p < .001), tanto concurrentemente (r = −.25, p < .001) como prospectivamente (rs = −.22-−.24, ps < .001). Las asociaciones fueron más fuertes para trastorno por atracón, alimentación emocional/externa, e insatisfacción corporal, así como también el actuar con conciencia y sin juzgar las facetas.Discusión: La atención plena (mindfulness) puede ser un proceso importante en la psicopatología de los TCA. K E Y W O R D Sanorexia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, eating disorders, mindfulness

Understanding the relationship between negative emotional eating and binge eating: The moderating effects of acting with awareness and non‐reactive mindfulness

“…Indeed, mindfulness has been associated with decreased symptom severity in people who engage in negative emotional eating (Alberts et al, 2010; Daubenmier et al, 2011) and BE (Baer et al, 2005; Kristeller & Hallett, 1999). A recent meta‐analysis demonstrated that across the full spectrum of eating pathology, mindfulness appears to be especially useful in symptom reduction of negative emotional eating and BE (Sala et al, 2020). In treatment contexts, mindfulness meditation interventions such as mindfulness training was associated with decreased negative emotional eating and BE across diverse overweight/obese and clinical eating disorder populations (Katterman et al, 2014).…”

Flow State as an Existential Tool to Increase Optimal Experience and Life Enjoyment

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