Negative Self-Beliefs in Relation to Eating Disorder and Depressive Symptoms: Different Themes Are Characteristic of the Two Sets of Symptoms in Those With Eating Disorders and/or Depression

Abstract

This study aimed to identify differences in the personal themes in negative self or core beliefs that might be characteristic of high levels of eating disorder symptoms when compared to high levels of depressive symptoms in those with an eating disorder and/or depression. Differences between putative diagnostic subgroups were also examined. One hundred and ninety-three participants completed self-report measures of negative self-beliefs, eating, and depressive symptoms. Putative diagnostic subgroups were also identified, including an eating disorder group that also had high levels of depressive symptomatology and in most cases a diagnosis of depression. Six themes descriptive of the self corresponding to 6 robust factors were identified and provisionally labeled isolated, repelled by self, self-dislike, lacking in warmth, childlike, and highly organized. Multiple regression analyses indicated that, in the whole sample, eating disorder symptoms were uniquely predicted by subscales reflective of repelled by self and lacking in warmth, though depressive symptoms were uniquely predicted by subscales measuring isolation and self-dislike. Between-group analyses indicated that high scores on isolation, self-dislike, and lacking in warmth were typical of both eating-disordered and depressed-only diagnostic groups when compared to the control group, though only the eating-disordered group (also high in depressive symptoms and "diagnosis" of depression) also had high scores on repelled by self. The findings indicate that eating disorder and depressive symptoms are associated with some potentially important differences in self-beliefs. Putative diagnostic subgroups may also differ in these beliefs. The findings further indicate that psychometrically sound themes exist in the core or negative self-beliefs associated with eating disorder and depressive symptoms. Implications of the findings for cognitive therapy with eating disorders and depression are briefly considered, and the limitations and implications of the diagnostic subgroups identified here are discussed.

Rank perception and self‐evaluation in eating disorders

“…Association between concepts that share a response key is inferred to be stronger the faster the subject performs the task. Two subversions of the task were used: The self‐esteem IAT included “me”/“other” words, and positive and negative personality word from Anderson; The self‐compassion IAT included “me”/”other” words, and positive and negative words from Cooper and Cowen “lack of warmth” dimension and from Goss and Gilbert descriptions of self‐criticism/self‐compassionate features. …”

A new cognitive bias modification technique to influence risk factors for eating disorders

“…Research consistently shows that eating disorder risk is associated with the perception of ambiguous stimuli to be negatively related to one's appearance (Brockmeyer et al, 2018;Rodgers & DuBois, 2016) and self-worth (e.g., Cooper, 2005;Cooper & Cowen, 2009;Pringle, Harmer, & Cooper 2010). Research consistently shows that eating disorder risk is associated with the perception of ambiguous stimuli to be negatively related to one's appearance (Brockmeyer et al, 2018;Rodgers & DuBois, 2016) and self-worth (e.g., Cooper, 2005;Cooper & Cowen, 2009;Pringle, Harmer, & Cooper 2010).…”

“…Cognitive theories propose that the development and maintenance of various psychopathologies can be partially attributed to the tendency to preferentially process disorder-salient stimuli above all other information types, resulting in an interpretation bias. Research consistently shows that eating disorder risk is associated with the perception of ambiguous stimuli to be negatively related to one's appearance (Brockmeyer et al, 2018;Rodgers & DuBois, 2016) and self-worth (e.g., Cooper, 2005;Cooper & Cowen, 2009;Pringle, Harmer, & Cooper 2010). For instance, a friend stating they joined a gym would be interpreted by the person at risk as evidence that they too should exercise and improve their weight and shape (interpretation bias related to appearance), or that they are lazy for not doing so (interpretation bias related to self-worth), rather than considering a more adaptive resolution (e.g., a friend's pride in their new found motivation).…”

Investigating vulnerability to eating disorders: biases in emotional processing

“…Fairburn et al 2003 ;Cooper et al 2004 ;Waller et al 2007a). Emerging evidence, however, suggests that the specific content of some of these beliefs may be different between the two disorders (Waller et al 2001 ;Cooper et al 2005 ;Cooper & Cowen, 2009). Emerging evidence, however, suggests that the specific content of some of these beliefs may be different between the two disorders (Waller et al 2001 ;Cooper et al 2005 ;Cooper & Cowen, 2009).…”