Premium
A randomized trial of a dissonance‐based eating disorder prevention program
Author(s) -
Stice Eric,
Chase Allison,
Stormer Susan,
Appel Anne
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.1016
Subject(s) - dieting , cognitive dissonance , intervention (counseling) , psychology , randomized controlled trial , clinical psychology , weight loss , eating disorders , affect (linguistics) , disordered eating , weight management , medicine , psychiatry , obesity , social psychology , communication
Objective As psychoeducational eating disorder prevention programs have not been shown to reduce bulimic pathology, we developed and evaluated a dissonance‐based intervention for high‐risk populations. Method Young women ( N = 87) with body image concerns were randomized to this intervention, which involves verbal, written, and behavioral exercises requiring them to critique the thin‐ideal, or to a healthy weight management control group. Participants completed a baseline, termination, and 4‐week follow‐up survey. Results Participants in the dissonance intervention reported decreased thin‐ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, dieting, negative affect, and bulimic symptoms at termination and at 4‐week follow‐up. Unexpectedly, participants in the healthy weight management control group also reported some benefits. Discussion Taken in conjunction with past findings, these preliminary results suggest that the dissonance intervention, and to a lesser extent the healthy weight management intervention, may reduce bulimic pathology and risk factors for eating disturbances. © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 29: 247–262, 2001.