Self‐Discrepancy and Eating Disorder Symptoms Across Eating Disorder Diagnostic Groups

Abstract

This study examined self-discrepancy, a construct of theoretical relevance to eating disorder (ED) psychopathology, across different types of EDs. Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN; n = 112), bulimia nervosa (BN; n = 72), and binge eating disorder (BED; n = 199) completed semi-structured interviews assessing specific types of self-discrepancies. Results revealed that actual:ideal (A:I) discrepancy was positively associated with AN, actual:ought (A:O) discrepancy was positively associated with BN and BED, and self-discrepancies did not differentiate BN from BED. Across diagnoses, A:O discrepancy was positively associated with severity of purging, binge eating, and global ED psychopathology. Further, there were significant interactions between diagnosis and A:O discrepancy for global ED psychopathology and between diagnosis and A:I discrepancy for binge eating and driven exercise. These results support the importance of self-discrepancy as a potential causal and maintenance variable in EDs that differentiates among different types of EDs and symptom severity.

Self-objectification, body shame, and disordered eating: Testing a core mediational model of objectification theory among White, Black, and Hispanic women

“…Therefore, appearance monitoring may be more likely to elicit body shame among White and Hispanic women, as relatively few women meet these narrowly prescribed ideals (Calogero et al, 2011). Further, disordered eating may emerge as women seek to reduce perceived discrepancies between their own appearance and their ideal (Mason et al, 2016).…”

Self-discrepancy theory as a transdiagnostic framework: A meta-analysis of self-discrepancy and psychopathology.

“…Given the saliency of negative emotions to a variety of aspects of psychopathology (Kring & Bachorowski, 1999), researchers have expanded the study of self-discrepancy beyond depression and anxiety. Self-discrepancy has been implicated in numerous additional psychiatric disorders including borderline personality disorder (e.g., Parker, Boldero, & Bell, 2006), paranoia (e.g., Hartmann, Sundag, & Lincoln, 2014), eating disorders (e.g., Mason, Lavender, et al, 2016), and suicidal ideation (Cornette, Strauman, Abramson, & Busch, 2009). Self-discrepancy may lead to a variety of negative emotions, which increases risk for the development of psychiatric symptoms including full-syndrome disorders.…”

The ethics of exercise in eating disorders: Can an ethical principles approach guide the next generation of research and clinical practice?

“…It is clear that many individuals with ED use compensatory exercise in a pathological manor 22 and more research is needed to further clarify the role of exercise as a potential causal and maintenance variable in ED. 26 However, an emerging body of evidence suggests that therapeutic exercise may impart substantial benefits relevant to ED treatment outcomes. Several recent reviews of the literature 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 have provided a rationale to support further investigation into all aspects of the exercise–ED relationship and presented protocols that may guide the clinical use of exercise in ED treatment.…”