DClinPsy Portfolio Volume 1 of 3 - University of Hertfordshire ...

Abstract
Eating disorders can be viewed on a continuum, with disordered eating not reaching
clinical diagnostic criteria but having potentially negative effects including increasing the
risk of an eating disorder or obesity. This study investigated disordered eating in relation
to emotional processing from an Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) perspective. Body
image dissatisfaction is recognised as a risk factor in eating disorders and was therefore
included in this study to investigate whether the ACT concept of inflexibility was
associated with ‘less acceptance’ of body image and an increased eating disorder risk as
well as general mood disturbance (i.e. depression and anxiety). A non-clinical sample of
96, 12-15 year old females at secondary schools in London was used. Eating disorder
risk, inflexibility as well as depression and anxiety were measured. When comparing
high, low and moderate eating disorder risk groups it was found that the low and
moderate eating disorder risk groups had lower levels of inflexibility and the low eating
disorder risk group had a higher body image acceptance than the moderate and the high
risk groups as predicted. Inflexibility was also associated with higher rates of anxiety and
depression and a negative association was found between depression and anxiety in
relation to acceptance of body image. Thus providing supporting evidence for the
transdiagnostic significance of ‘inflexibility’. Clinical implications of these findings in
relation to prevention and treatment are discussed.
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