In:
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 49, No. 3 ( 2021-05), p. 328-339
Kurzfassung:
Research into mental disorders has found mental imagery to be a maintaining factor for psychological distress. However, studies investigating mental imagery in eating disorders are scarce. Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare spontaneous mental imagery related to eating, weight and/or appearance and intrusive prospective imagery in women with an eating disorder with female healthy controls. Methods: Spontaneous mental imagery and intrusive prospective imagery were assessed in adult women with an eating disorder ( n = 29) and in female healthy controls ( n = 32) using a semi-structured interview and the Impact of Future Events Scale, respectively. Results: In comparison with healthy controls, the spontaneous mental images in individuals with an eating disorder involved more sensory modalities ( U = 156.50, p 〈 .001, r = –.51), were more vivid ( t (52) = 2.04, p = .047, d = .55), negative ( U = 103.00, p 〈 .001, r = –.62), and anxiety provoking ( U = 158.50, p 〈 .001, r = –.49), and were experienced with a lower sense of control ( U = 215.00, p = .009, r = –.36). The emotional impact of intrusive prospective imagery ( U = 105.00, p 〈 .001, r = –.66) was also higher in individuals with an eating disorder, as was the number of negative prospective images ( U = 283.00, p = .016, r = –.31). Conclusions: Our findings are consistent with previous research on mental imagery in other psychiatric disorders, and provide possibilities for incorporating imagery-based techniques in treatment interventions.
Materialart:
Online-Ressource
ISSN:
1352-4658
,
1469-1833
DOI:
10.1017/S135246582000065X
Sprache:
Englisch
Verlag:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publikationsdatum:
2021
ZDB Id:
1499945-6
SSG:
5,2
