A randomized controlled trial of a peer co-led dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program for gay men. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brown, Tiffany A.; Keel, Pamela K.
• Is Part Of: Behaviour research and therapy. Volume 74(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Eating disorder -- Gay men -- Dissonance -- Peer-led -- Prevention; Cognitive therapy -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2015.08.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7967

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Gay males have increased risk for eating disorders compared to heterosexual males, establishing a need to develop and empirically evaluate programs to reduce risk for this population. The present study investigated the acceptability and efficacy of a cognitive dissonance-based (DB) intervention (The PRIDE Body Project © ) in reducing eating disorder risk factors among gay males in a university-based setting. Method: Eighty-seven gay males were randomized to either a 2-session DB intervention ( n = 47) or a waitlist control condition ( n = 40). Participants completed eating disorder risk factor assessments pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 4-week follow-up, and those receiving the intervention completed post-treatment acceptability measures. Results: Acceptability ratings were highly favorable. Regarding efficacy, the DB condition was associated with significantly greater decreases in body dissatisfaction, drive for muscularity, self-objectification, partner-objectification, body-ideal internalization, dietary restraint, and bulimic symptoms compared to waitlist control from pre- to post-intervention. Improvements in the DB group were maintained at 4-week follow-up, with the exception of body-ideal internalization. Body-ideal internalization mediated treatment effects on bulimic symptoms. Conclusion: Results support the acceptability and efficacy of The PRIDE Body Project © and provide support for theoretical models of eating pathology in gay men. Highlights: We developed and evaluated a dissonance-based (DB) eating disorder prevention program for gay men. Acceptability ratings for the DB program were favorable and retention was high. The program reduced eating disorder risk factors to a greater degree than controls, post-intervention. Effects were largely maintained over 4-week follow-up. Impact of treatment was mediated by reductions in body-ideal internalization.