Effects of emotional acceptance and rumination on media-induced body dissatisfaction in anorexia and bulimia nervosa. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Naumann, Eva; Tuschen-Caffier, Brunna; Voderholzer, Ulrich; Schäfer, Johanna; Svaldi, Jennifer
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric research. Volume 82(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 119
• Page End: 125
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Eating disorders -- Body dissatisfaction -- Rumination -- Acceptance -- Emotion regulation -- Media; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; Maladies mentales -- Périodiques; Psychiatry; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.07.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3956

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Body dissatisfaction is an important risk and maintaining factor for eating disorders. The aim of the present study was to experimentally test the effects of two emotion regulation strategies - acceptance and rumination - on media-induced body dissatisfaction in eating disorders. Method: After watching pictures of thin models, women with anorexia nervosa (AN; n = 39) and bulimia nervosa (BN; n = 39) were encouraged to either use emotional acceptance or rumination to cope with their feelings. Body dissatisfaction and mood were repeatedly assessed. Results: Acceptance significantly improved body dissatisfaction in women with BN. Rumination led to a significant increase of body dissatisfaction in both eating disorder groups. Results were independent from mood changes. Discussion: Findings highlight the importance ruminative thinking may have in the aggravation of dissatisfaction with the own body in AN and BN. Results suggest that emotional acceptance is a useful strategy to regulate body dissatisfaction after exposure to thin-ideal media in BN.