Effectiveness of peer-led eating disorders prevention: a replication trial.

Full Abstract

The aim of this study was to replicate and extend results of a previous trial that investigated the effectiveness of 2 peer-led eating disorders prevention interventions in reducing eating disorder risk factors in undergraduate women (C. B. Becker, L. M. Smith, & A. C. Ciao, 2006). To extend findings from the previous study by allowing for investigation of differential response, the authors randomly assigned a larger sample of both higher and lower risk sorority members (N = 188; age M = 18.64 years, range = 18-21; 20% minority) to either a cognitive dissonance (CD) or a media advocacy (MA) intervention under naturalistic conditions. Interventions were delivered by trained sorority peer leaders and consisted of two 2-hr group sessions. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed eating disorder risk factors at pretreatment, posttreatment, 7-week follow-up, and 8-month follow-up. Results indicate that both interventions reduced thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, and bulimic pathology at 8 months, although higher and lower risk participants responded somewhat differently. Both CD and MA generally appeared effective for higher risk participants; only CD, however, appeared to benefit lower risk participants. Results further support the viability of using peer leaders in dissonance-based prevention.PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved.

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Author information

Author/s: Becker, Carolyn Black (CB); Bull, Stephanie (S); Schaumberg, Katherine (K); Cauble, Adele (A); Franco, Amanda (A);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Trinity College, San Antonio, TX 78212-7200, USA. cbecker(-atsign-)trinity.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Journal of consulting and clinical psychology (J Consult Clin Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Apr; vol 76 (issue 2) : pp 347-54

Dates: Created 2008/04/01; Completed 2008/06/10;

PMID: 18377130, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Body Image
Bulimia - prevention & control; psychology
Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Therapy - methods
Diet, Reducing - psychology
Eating Disorders - prevention & control

Eating Disorders - prevention & control
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Peer Group
Psychotherapy, Group - methods
Risk Factors
Thinness - psychology

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