Negative Self-Beliefs in Eating Disorders: A Cognitive-Bias-Modification Study
Abstract
In eating disorders (EDs), interest commonly focuses on eating, weight, and shape rather than on beliefs. In this study, we investigated the importance of negative self-beliefs in EDs by examining whether manipulating those beliefs would elicit symptom-relevant change. The technique cognitive-bias modification is ideal for this purpose because it permits experimental manipulation of beliefs. Using content derived from the clinical literature, we applied cognitive-bias modification to a sample of 88 subclinical participants. Results demonstrated a wide range of effects, including significant change in target beliefs, ED behaviors, related intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and depression, some of which were maintained at 1-week follow-up. Although one measure of ED symptoms remained unaltered, our data nevertheless evidence a causal role of negative self-beliefs in ED pathology and suggest that future work in clinical samples is warranted, including identification of factors determining susceptibility to the technique.
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Negative self-referential thoughts constitute a risk factor for depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
“and constitute a risk factor for depression, anxiety [89], and eating disorders [90]”
From Optimization of a Transdiagnostic Mobile Emotion Regulation Intervention for University Students: Protocol for a Microrandomized Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [90]
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Detecting and Avoiding Cognitive Biases
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Современные зарубежные исследования самоотношения у студентов с нарушением пищевого поведения
Осинская, С. А., & Венгер, В. В. (2023) · ТЕНДЕНЦИИ РАЗВИТИЯ НАУКИ И ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ · doi:10.18411/trnio-04-2023-151
- Authors
- Yiend, J., Parnes, C., Shepherd, K., Roche, M.-K., & Cooper, M. J.
- Affiliations
- King's College London (GB)
- Warneford Hospital (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Yiend, Jenny
- Cooper, Myra J.
- Venue
- Clinical Psychological Science
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2014-04-09
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 756-766
- ISSN
- 2167-7026 (ISSN-L)
- 2167-7034
- OpenAlex
- W2323613293
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3
- FWCI
- 4.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Keywords
- eating disorders, negative self-beliefs, cognitive bias modification, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, depression, dietary habits, symptom maintenance
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