Anorexic self-control and bulimic self-hate: differential outcome prediction from initial self-image.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The study investigated initial self-image (structural analysis of social behavior) and its relation to 36-month outcome, among patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Hypotheses were that degree of different aspects of self-image would predict outcome in the groups. METHOD: Participants were 52 patients with anorexia and 91 with bulimia from a longitudinal naturalistic database, and outcome measures included eating disorder and psychiatric symptoms and a general outcome index. Stepwise regression was used to investigate which self-image variables were related to outcome, and multiple regression contrasted the groups directly on each obtained predictor. RESULTS: Consistent with hypotheses, in bulimia degree of self-hate/self-love moderately predicted outcome, whereas self-control-related variables powerfully predicted outcome in anorexia. DISCUSSION: It is important to focus on self-image in the treatment of both diagnostic groups, but especially in anorexia nervosa, where control-submission interactions between patient and therapist should be handled with care.

Author information

Author/s: Birgegård, Andreas (A); Björck, Caroline (C); Norring, Claes (C); Sohlberg, Staffan (S); Clinton, David (D);

Affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. andreas.birgegard(-atsign-)ki.se

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The International journal of eating disorders (Int J Eat Disord), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 42 (issue 6) : pp 522-30

Dates: Created 2009/08/24; Completed 2009/11/02;

PMID: 19107836, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/2/2009, IMS Date: )

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