Approach and avoidance bias for thin‐ideal and normal‐weight body shapes in anorexia nervosa. (19th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brockmeyer, Timo; Burdenski, Kathrin; Anderle, Alisa; Voges, Mona M.; Vocks, Silja; Schmidt, Hagen; Wünsch‐Leiteritz, Wally; Leiteritz, Andreas; Friederich, Hans‐Christoph
• Is Part Of: European eating disorders review. Volume 28:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: 536
• Page End: 550
• Publication Date: 2020-05-19
• Subjects: approach bias -- body image -- cognitive bias -- eating disorders; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/erv.2744
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1072-4133

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The two studies aimed to examine implicit affective evaluations of thin‐ideal and normal‐weight body shapes in women with anorexia nervosa (AN), taking identification with body shapes into account. Method: In study 1, approach–avoidance bias for thin‐ideal and normal‐weight bodies was assessed in 40 women with AN and 40 healthy women by using an Approach‐Avoidance Task and female avatar bodies with a standard face as stimuli. In study 2, 39 women with AN and 38 healthy women underwent a similar task but identification with bodies was manipulated by presenting bodies once with the participant's own face and once with another woman's face. Results: In study 1, patients with AN did not differ from healthy participants in their automatic approach–avoidance tendencies towards thin‐ideal and normal‐weight bodies. In study 2, no definite approach bias for a thin self and no avoidance bias for thin other women or for a normal‐weight self were found. However, as compared to healthy women, those with AN showed a less positive implicit evaluation of thin other women, and an implicit preference for thin bodies depicted as themselves over thin bodies depicted as another woman. Conclusions: The findings suggest that intra‐sexual competition for being slim is increased in AN.