Intolerance of uncertainty and eating disorder behaviour: Piloting a consumption task in a non-clinical sample. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kesby, Alice; Maguire, Sarah; Vartanian, Lenny R.; Grisham, Jessica R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry. Volume 65(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2019.101492
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7916

Abstract

Abstract: Background and objectives: Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is a transdiagnostic process contributing to the maintenance of anxiety disorders, and is a potential target for treatment. Recent literature has investigated IU as a cognitive process underpinning pathological fear and anxiety in Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The current study was designed to examine trait and state IU, and their relationship to restrictive eating disorder symptoms, anxiety, worry, cognitive rigidity and eating behaviour. Methods : A sample of undergraduate women ( N = 85) completed measures of eating disorder symptoms, IU, cognitive rigidity and worry. Participants were randomised to complete an eating task under one of two conditions: the "certain" condition received a high-calorie meal and nutritional information, while the "uncertain" condition received the meal alone. During the meal, state IU and state anxiety were examined at three time-points (baseline, pre-eating, post-eating). Results: Trait IU was correlated with cognitive rigidity, worry, global eating disorder symptoms, and, in particular, dietary restraint. No differences emerged between conditions with respect to eating-related anxiety, or amount of food eaten. Controlling for condition and eating disorder symptoms, state IU predicted pre-eating anxiety. Beyond the contribution of condition, BMI and eating disorder symptoms, state IU predicted consumption, specifically greater dietary restriction. Limitations: The study employed a non-clinical sample. Conclusions: IU may be implicated in a rigid cognitive style, the anxiety response to energy-dense food, and restrictive eating behaviour. Should these findings be replicated in a clinical sample, then IU might emerge as an adjunctive treatment target for AN. Highlights: Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) may be implicated in eating disorder pathology. We examined associations between IU and eating behaviour in a nonclinical sample. Trait IU was associated with eating disorder symptomology and cognitive rigidity. State IU predicted anxiety and consumption of a meal during an in vivo eating task. Intolerance of uncertainty offers a novel approach to formulating eating disorders.