How might eating disorders stigmatization worsen eating disorders symptom severity? Evaluation of a stigma internalization model
Open accessAbstract
Objective: Eating disorders stigmatization is common and is associated with greater eating disorders symptom severity. This study sought to elucidate stigma internalization as a potential mechanism underlying this association. Two central aspects of stigma internalization were focused on: alienation and social withdrawal. Method: A cross‐national sample of individuals with self‐reported eating disorders ( N = 260) completed measures of eating disorders stigmatization, symptom severity, alienation, and social withdrawal. Results: The model evidenced excellent fit. Eating disorders stigmatization directly predicted both alienation and social withdrawal, which, in turn, directly predicted symptom severity. Indirect effect analyses indicated that greater eating disorders stigmatization ultimately predicted greater symptom severity via alienation and social withdrawal. Moreover, social withdrawal mediated the association of alienation with symptom severity. Fitting a direct pathway from eating disorder stigmatization to symptom severity did not improve model fit. Discussion: Our model provides a potentially useful account of the mechanisms by which eating disorders stigmatization might worsen eating disorder symptom severity. Specifically, the stigma internalization processes of alienation and social withdrawal may be important factors linking stigmatization with symptom severity. The findings have implications for clinicians attempting to help individuals with eating disorders to monitor and modify their responses to eating disorders stigmatization.
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Self-stigma is associated with increased ED severity, decreased treatment-seeking behaviour, decreased psychological wellbeing, low self-esteem, shame, and delayed recovery.
“Self-stigma is associated with increased ED severity, decreased treatment-seeking behaviour, decreased psychological wellbeing, low self-esteem, shame, and delayed recovery [82–85].”
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- Authors
- Griffiths, S., Mitchison, D., Murray, S. B., Mond, J. M., & Bastian, B. B.
- Affiliations
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Western Sydney University (AU)
- University of California, San Francisco (US)
- University of Tasmania (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Griffiths, Scott
- Venue
- International Journal of Eating Disorders
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2018-07-28
- Volume
- 51
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1010-1014
- ISSN
- 0276-3478 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-108X
- OpenAlex
- W2884958304
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 5.29
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- figshare.com
- Locations
- International Journal of Eating Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- eCite Digital Repository (University of Tasmania) (submittedVersion)
- UTAS Research Repository (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Health and Medical Research Council (1121538)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Keywords
- eating disorders, stigmatization, self-stigma, symptom severity, alienation, social withdrawal
- MeSH terms
- Feeding and Eating Disorders, Defense Mechanisms, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Self Concept, Stereotyping, Social Stigma, Self Report
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