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Changes in the sense of agency: Implications for the psychotherapy of bulimia nervosa‐ A case study
Author(s) -
Kristmannsdottir Gudrun,
KeskiRahkonen Anna,
Kuusinen KirstiLiisa
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.22787
Subject(s) - sense of agency , agency (philosophy) , psychology , bulimia nervosa , relation (database) , psychology of self , psychotherapist , transtheoretical model , social psychology , psychiatry , eating disorders , behavior change , epistemology , philosophy , computer science , database
A sense of agency is a transtheoretical concept that increases our understanding of important processes in psychotherapy. Agency can be described in terms of how strongly the person believes that she can have an impact on her problematic experiences and behaviors. In this case study, a patient's sense of agency in relation to symptoms of bulimia nervosa was assessed during 3 years of psychotherapy. Five distinct phases of agency in relation to eating disorder symptoms were identified: A false sense of agency or no agency at all, a weak sense of agency, a nascent sense of agency, a wavering sense of agency, and a strong sense of agency. A better understanding of patient agency can facilitate adapting approaches and methods best suited for the patient's capacity for change throughout treatment.