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Autonomous Motivation: A Predictor of Treatment Outcome in Bulimia‐Spectrum Eating Disorders
Author(s) -
Mansour Sandra,
Bruce Kenneth R.,
Steiger Howard,
Zuroff David C.,
Horowitz Sarah,
Anestin Annelie S.,
Sycz Lindsay
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.2154
Subject(s) - psychology , eating disorders , binge eating , bulimia nervosa , clinical psychology , anxiety , impulsivity , depression (economics) , binge eating disorder , self determination theory , multilevel model , psychotherapist , developmental psychology , psychiatry , autonomy , machine learning , political science , computer science , law , economics , macroeconomics
Individuals with eating disorders are said to be highly ambivalent towards change and thus have difficulty maintaining a commitment to, and motivation for, treatment. Self‐Determination Theory postulates that autonomous motivation for therapy exists when individuals view their participation as freely chosen. Objective The present study was designed to ascertain whether or not autonomous motivation was associated with treatment response in individuals with bulimia‐spectrum eating disorders (BSED). Method One hundred and fifty‐five women with DSM‐IV‐TR BSED participated in multimodal group therapy and completed measures to assess motivation, eating and comorbid symptoms. Results Hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that higher levels of autonomous motivation at pretreatment predicted lower post‐treatment scores on measures of eating preoccupations (shape, weight and eating concerns), binge eating, anxiety/depression, relationship to self and others and impulsivity. Discussion These results indicate that autonomous motivation may be an important predictor of outcome following treatment for BSED. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.