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

Low levels of serotonin activity are associated with impulsivity and may predispose to
the characteristic impulsivity of BN and higher levels may contribute to pathogenesis of
AN by shaping in certain individuals marked behavioural propensities towards rigidity
and constraint (Strober, 1995) and having a specific chronic illness such as diabetes
mellitus (Antisdel and Chrisler, 2000).
Body image and disordered eating
As identified above, body image dissatisfaction is recognised as a risk factor with some
suggesting that it is the single strongest predictor of eating disorder symptomatology
among women (e.g. Polivy et al, 2002). Body image dissatisfaction is defined as
subjective dissatisfaction (negative thoughts and feelings) with one’s physical appearance
(Littleton and Ollendick, 2003). Adolescent females reporting disordered eating have a
significantly higher concern for appearance, (Croll et al, 2002). The perception of body
image has been found to be a strong predictor of girls’ dieting at ages 15, 18 and 21
(Friestad and Rise, 2004), and high ratings of weight concern was associated with the
development of a partial or full syndrome eating disturbance (Killen, Taylor, Hayward,
Haydel, Wilson, Hammer, Kraemer, Blair-Greiner and Strachowski, 1996).
As well as body image being identified as an important risk factor in the development of
eating pathology, the literature has focused on body image and eating in relation to the
processing of emotions.
Body image and the processing of unpleasant emotions
Individuals with body image dissatisfaction have been found to present with negative
cognitive distortions, (Williamson, 1996), which may help explain the link between body
image dissatisfaction and depression. Low body satisfaction during early and middle
adolescence has been found to be predictive of later signs of more global mental distress,
including lower self-esteem and depressive symptoms (e.g. Stice and Bearman, 2001;
Keel, et al, 1997).
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