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Network analysis: An innovative framework for understanding eating disorder psychopathology
Author(s) -
Smith Kathryn E.,
Crosby Ross D.,
Wonderlich Stephen A.,
Forbush Kelsie T.,
Mason Tyler B.,
Moessner Markus
Publication year - 2018
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.22836
Subject(s) - psychopathology , psychological intervention , network analysis , psychology , reciprocal , network theory , data science , clinical psychology , psychiatry , computer science , linguistics , philosophy , physics , statistics , mathematics , quantum mechanics
Network theory and analysis is an emerging approach in psychopathology research that has received increasing attention across fields of study. In contrast to medical models or latent variable approaches, network theory suggests that psychiatric syndromes result from systems of causal and reciprocal symptom relationships. Despite the promise of this approach to elucidate key mechanisms contributing to the development and maintenance of eating disorders (EDs), thus far, few applications of network analysis have been tested in ED samples. We first present an overview of network theory, review the existing findings in the ED literature, and discuss the limitations of this literature to date. In particular, the reliance on cross‐sectional designs, use of single‐item self‐reports of symptoms, and instability of results have raised concern about the inferences that can be made from network analyses. We outline several areas to address in future ED network analytic research, which include the use of prospective designs and adoption of multimodal assessment methods. Doing so will provide a clearer understanding of whether network analysis can enhance our current understanding of ED psychopathology and inform clinical interventions.