Schema modes in eating disorders compared to a community sample

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to examine the association between eating disorders (ED) and schema modes, and identify which specific schema modes are associated with particular eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED).MethodsA total of forty seven women with eating disorders and 89 women from the community participated in this study. Eating disorder diagnosis was determined by a clinician treating the eating disorder and was confirmed on the basis of Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). The Schema Mode Inventory (SMI) was used to explore the association between schema modes and eating disorder diagnostic status.ResultsA series t-tests revealed that when compared to the community sample, the ED group scored significantly higher on 10 out of 12 maladaptive schema modes, and significantly lower on both adaptive schema modes. A series of planned contrasts revealed that the AN, BN, and OSFED groups each scored significantly higher than the community sample group in the majority of maladaptive schema modes, with slight variations between groups. Further, AN, BN, and OSFED groups each scored significantly lower than the community sample group for the two SMI scores categorized as adaptive. All Cohen’s d that reached significance ranged 0.55-2.24.ConclusionsThe current study shows a tendency for females with eating disorders to rely on maladaptive schema modes more frequently, and more adaptive schema modes less frequently compared to a community sample. These findings provide initial empirical support for a schema mode model of eating disorders.

Do dysfunctional coping modes mediate the relationship between perceived parenting style and disordered eating behaviours?

“…[6, 30]). Although the Self-Aggrandiser mode also functions as a form of overcompensation, this mode was endorsed at a relatively low level and only weakly correlated with eating behaviours, consistent with previous findings [45, 49]. …”

“…These findings support previous theory suggesting the need to consider developmental factors and the function of ED behaviours in conjunction with maintenance factors, when conceptualising and treating EDs [36, 39, 45, 54]. The study also emphasises that treatment of EDs cannot rely solely on trait-based factors (i.e.…”

“…Findings from this study highlight the role of the dysfunctional coping modes Perfectionistic Overcontroller, Self-Aggrandiser, Compliant Surrenderer, Detached Self-Soother and Detached Protector which partially explained the variance in the relationship between perceived negative parenting experiences and both restriction and compensatory behaviours in this sample. These findings build on previous research highlighting the potentially important relationship between coping processes and eating disordered behaviours [36, 45], and suggest that negative parenting behaviours that interfere with meeting the core emotional needs of childhood may not only be associated with the development of EMS but may also influence eating behaviours via the coping modes that the individual adopts.…”

“…Further, there is preliminary, though limited, empirical support for the application of the schema model to ED populations [29, 40, 41]. Specifically, research has linked EMS and schema processes to ED pathology, and ED populations have been found to score higher on EMS [22, 25, 52] and schema modes [45, 49] than non-clinical populations. Preliminary studies suggest that the Compliant Surrenderer, and two avoidant coping modes, Detached Self-Soother and Detached Protector, appear to be higher in the ED population than in non-clinical populations [45] and other clinical groups [49].…”

Drunkorexia: An investigation of symptomatology and early maladaptive schemas within a female, young adult Australian population

“…Prior research in the field found higher overall levels of EMS both in those with eating disorder symptomatology and substance abuse, including binge drinking, compared to controls (Boone, Braet, Vandereycken, & Claes, 2013;Brotchie et al, 2004;Damiano, Reece, Reid, Atkins, & Patton, 2015;Dingemans, Spinhoven, & van Furth, 2006;Elmquist, Shorey, Anderson, & Stuart, 2015;Jones, Harris, & Leung, 2005;Jones et al, 2007;Leung, Waller, & Tomas, 1999;Pauwels et al, 2013;Shorey et al, 2014;Shorey et al, 2013a;Talbot, Smith, Tomkins, Brockman, & Simpson, 2015;Unoka, Tölgyes, Czobor, & Simon, 2010;Waller et al, 2000). Furthermore, higher endorsement of EMS has been associated with poorer treatment outcomes in these populations (e.g., Jones et al, 2007;Leung, Waller, & Thomas, 2000).…”