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Butler RM, Crumby EK, Christian C, Brosof LC, Vanzhula IA, Levinson CA. Facing Eating Disorder Fears: An Open Trial Adapting Prolonged Exposure to the Treatment of Eating Disorders. Behav Ther 2024; 55:347-360. [PMID: 38418045 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2023.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Eating disorders (EDs) are maintained by core fears, which lead to avoidance behaviors, such as food avoidance or compensatory behaviors. Previously tested exposure-based treatments for EDs have generally focused on proximal outcomes (e.g., food), rather than addressing core fears (e.g., fear of weight gain and its consequences). The current study tested the feasibility and initial clinical efficacy of 10 sessions of imaginal and in vivo exposure for core ED fears (termed "Facing Eating Disorder Fears"), mainly fear of weight gain and its associated consequences. Participants were 36 adults with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa, or other specified feeding and eating disorders determined by semistructured diagnostic interviews. ED symptoms, fears, and body mass index (BMI) were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up. Treatment involved 10 sessions of imaginal and in vivo exposure to ED fears in combination with in vivo exposures to feared and avoided situations as homework. ED symptoms and fears decreased from pre- to posttreatment and at 1-month follow-up. BMI increased significantly from pre- to posttreatment, particularly for those with AN. Effect sizes ranged from small to very large. ED symptoms and fears decreased and BMI increased following exposure. Increases in BMI occurred without any direct intervention on eating, suggesting that weight gain can be achieved without a specific focus on food during ED treatment. Facing Eating Disorder Fears may be a feasible stand-alone intervention for EDs. Future research must test comparative efficacy through randomized controlled trials.
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Yilmaz Z, Schaumberg K, Halvorsen M, Goodman EL, Brosof LC, Crowley JJ, Mathews CA, Mattheisen M, Breen G, Bulik CM, Micali N, Zerwas SC. Predicting eating disorder and anxiety symptoms using disorder-specific and transdiagnostic polygenic scores for anorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychol Med 2023; 53:3021-3035. [PMID: 35243971 PMCID: PMC9440960 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721005079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical, epidemiological, and genetic findings support an overlap between eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety symptoms. However, little research has examined the role of genetics in the expression of underlying phenotypes. We investigated whether the anorexia nervosa (AN), OCD, or AN/OCD transdiagnostic polygenic scores (PGS) predict eating disorder, OCD, and anxiety symptoms in a large developmental cohort in a sex-specific manner. METHODS Using summary statistics from Psychiatric Genomics Consortium AN and OCD genome-wide association studies, we conducted an AN/OCD transdiagnostic genome-wide association meta-analysis. We then calculated AN, OCD, and AN/OCD PGS in participants from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children to predict eating disorder, OCD, and anxiety symptoms, stratified by sex (combined N = 3212-5369 per phenotype). RESULTS The PGS prediction of eating disorder, OCD, and anxiety phenotypes differed between sexes, although effect sizes were small. AN and AN/OCD PGS played a more prominent role in predicting eating disorder and anxiety risk than OCD PGS, especially in girls. AN/OCD PGS provided a small boost over AN PGS in the prediction of some anxiety symptoms. All three PGS predicted higher compulsive exercise across different developmental timepoints [β = 0.03 (s.e. = 0.01) for AN and AN/OCD PGS at age 14; β = 0.05 (s.e. = 0.02) for OCD PGS at age 16] in girls. CONCLUSIONS Compulsive exercise may have a transdiagnostic genetic etiology, and AN genetic risk may play a role in the presence of anxiety symptoms. Converging with prior twin literature, our results also suggest that some of the contribution of genetic risk may be sex-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Yilmaz
- National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katherine Schaumberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Matthew Halvorsen
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Erica L. Goodman
- Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Leigh C. Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - James J. Crowley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Carol A. Mathews
- Department of Psychiatry, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Manuel Mattheisen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative of Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gerome Breen
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, King's College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley National Health Service Trust, London, UK
| | - Cynthia M. Bulik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nadia Micali
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, HUG, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, HUG, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie C. Zerwas
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Levinson CA, Trombley CM, Brosof LC, Williams BM, Hunt RA. Binge Eating, Purging, and Restriction Symptoms: Increasing Accuracy of Prediction Using Machine Learning. Behav Ther 2023; 54:247-259. [PMID: 36858757 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Eating disorders are severe mental illnesses characterized by the hallmark behaviors of binge eating, restriction, and purging. These disordered eating behaviors carry extreme impairment and medical complications, regardless of eating disorder diagnosis. Despite the importance of these disordered behaviors to every eating disorder diagnosis, our current models are not able to accurately predict behavior occurrence. The current study utilized machine learning to develop longitudinal predictive models of binge eating, purging, and restriction in an eating disorder sample (N = 60) using real-time intensive longitudinal data. Participants completed four daily assessments of eating disorder symptoms and emotions for 25 days on a smartphone (total data points per participant = 100). Using data, we were able to compute highly accurate prediction models for binge eating, restriction, and purging (.76-.96 accuracy). The ability to accurately predict the occurrence of binge eating, restriction, and purging has crucial implications for the development of preventative interventions for the eating disorders. Machine learning models may be able to accurately predict onset of problematic psychiatric behaviors leading to preventative interventions designed to disrupt engagement in such behaviors.
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Levinson CA, Williams BM, Christian C, Hunt RA, Keshishian AC, Brosof LC, Vanzhula IA, Davis GG, Brown ML, Bridges-Curry Z, Sandoval-Araujo LE, Ralph-Nearman C. Personalizing eating disorder treatment using idiographic models: An open series trial. J Consult Clin Psychol 2023; 91:14-28. [PMID: 36729494 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Treatments for adults with eating disorders (EDs) only work in about 50% of individuals, and for some diagnoses (e.g., anorexia nervosa; atypical anorexia nervosa), there are no existing evidence-based treatments. Part of the reason that treatments may only work in a subset of individuals is because of the high heterogeneity present in the EDs, even within diagnoses. Manualized treatments delivered in a standard format may not always address the most relevant symptoms for a specific individual. METHOD The current open series trial recruited participants with transdiagnostic ED diagnoses (N = 79) to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial clinical efficacy of a 10-session network-informed personalized treatment for eating disorders. This treatment uses idiographic (i.e., one-person) network models of ecological momentary assessment symptom data to match participants to evidence-based modules of treatment. RESULTS We found that network-informed personalized treatment was highly feasible with low dropout rates, was rated as highly acceptable, and had strong initial clinical efficacy. ED severity decreased from pre- to posttreatment and at 1-year follow-up with a large effect size. ED cognitions, behaviors, clinical impairment, worry, and depression also decreased from pre- to posttreatment. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that network-informed personalized treatment has high acceptability and feasibility and can decrease ED and related pathology, possibly serving as a feasible alternative to existing treatments. Future randomized controlled trials comparing network-informed personalized treatment for ED to existing gold standard treatments are needed. Additionally, more research is needed on this type of personalized treatment both in the EDs, as well as in additional forms of psychopathology, such as depression. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri A Levinson
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
| | - Brenna M Williams
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
| | - Caroline Christian
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
| | - Rowan A Hunt
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
| | - Ani C Keshishian
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
| | - Irina A Vanzhula
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
| | - Gabrielle G Davis
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
| | - Mackenzie L Brown
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
| | - Zoe Bridges-Curry
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
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Levinson CA, Hunt RA, Keshishian AC, Brown ML, Vanzhula I, Christian C, Brosof LC, Williams BM. Correction to: Using individual networks to identify treatment targets for eating disorder treatment: a proof-of-concept study and initial data. J Eat Disord 2022; 10:99. [PMID: 35818061 PMCID: PMC9275135 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00626-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cheri A Levinson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA.
| | - Rowan A Hunt
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Ani C Keshishian
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Mackenzie L Brown
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Irina Vanzhula
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Caroline Christian
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Brenna M Williams
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
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Levinson CA, Hunt RA, Keshishian AC, Brown ML, Vanzhula I, Christian C, Brosof LC, Williams BM. Using individual networks to identify treatment targets for eating disorder treatment: a proof-of-concept study and initial data. J Eat Disord 2021; 9:147. [PMID: 34736538 PMCID: PMC8567590 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-021-00504-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eating disorders (EDs) are severe mental illnesses, with high morbidity, mortality, and societal burden. EDs are extremely heterogenous, and only 50% of patients currently respond to first-line treatments. Personalized and effective treatments for EDs are drastically needed. METHODS The current study (N = 34 participants with an ED diagnosis collected throughout the United States) aimed to investigate best methods informing how to select personalized treatment targets utilizing idiographic network analysis, which could then be used for evidence based personalized treatment development. We present initial data collected via experience sampling (i.e., ecological momentary assessment) over the course of 15 days, 5 times a day (75 total measurement points) that were used to select treatment targets for a personalized treatment for EDs. RESULTS Overall, we found that treatment targets were highly variable, with less than 50% of individuals endorsing central symptoms related to weight and shape, consistent with current treatment response rates for treatments designed to target those symptoms. We also found that different aspects of selection methods (e.g., number of items, type of centrality measure) impacted treatment target selection. CONCLUSIONS We discuss implications of these data, how to use idiographic network analysis to personalize treatment, and identify areas that need future research. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04183894. Registered 3 December 2019-Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04183894 . NCT04183894 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri A Levinson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA.
| | - Rowan A Hunt
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Ani C Keshishian
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Mackenzie L Brown
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Irina Vanzhula
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Caroline Christian
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Brenna M Williams
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
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Christian CB, Ngo BK, Brosof LC, Levinson CA. Social appearance anxiety moderates the relationship between thin-ideal internalization and eating disorder symptoms cross-sectionally and prospectively in adolescent girls. Eat Weight Disord 2021; 26:2065-2070. [PMID: 33106938 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-020-01050-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The sociocultural theory of eating disorders (EDs) posits that thin-ideal internalization may interact with social risk factors to influence ED development. Social appearance anxiety (SAA) is a potential social risk factor for EDs that may influence the relationship between thin-ideal internalization and EDs. METHODS The current study (N = 525 adolescent females) examined whether SAA moderated the relationship between thin-ideal internalization and ED symptoms cross-sectionally and prospectively across one month. RESULTS The interaction between thin-ideal internalization and SAA on ED symptoms was significant in both models, such that when SAA was higher, there was a significantly stronger relationship between thin-ideal internalization and ED symptoms. We also found that SAA uniquely, prospectively predicted ED symptoms. CONCLUSION These results suggest that adolescents with high SAA and high thin-ideal internalization are more likely to exhibit higher ED symptoms. SAA both prospectively predicts ED symptoms and may amplify the relationship between thin-ideal internalization and EDs. This research highlights SAA as a social risk factor for ED development in adolescents. Interventions focused on SAA may optimize ED prevention in this population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Brooke Christian
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, 317 Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Betty K Ngo
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, 317 Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, 317 Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Cheri A Levinson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, 317 Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, USA.
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Levinson CA, Christian C, Ram SS, Vanzhula I, Brosof LC, Michelson LP, Williams BM. Eating disorder symptoms and core eating disorder fears decrease during online imaginal exposure therapy for eating disorders. J Affect Disord 2020; 276:585-591. [PMID: 32794449 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.07.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few evidence-based treatments for eating disorders (EDs) exist. Imaginal exposure therapy is a key component of effective treatment for anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, imaginal exposure has not been systematically tested as a treatment for EDs. The current study aimed to develop and test online imaginal exposure as a treatment for EDs. METHODS The current study tested a four-week trial of online imaginal exposure for EDs (N = 229 participants with EDs recruited globally). Participants completed diagnostic interviews and four sessions of weekly online imaginal exposure, in which they wrote about and imagined a core ED fear (identified with a therapist). Participants completed measures of ED symptoms and fears (i.e., fear of weight gain, food) at pre-imaginal exposure, post-imaginal exposure, and six-month follow-up. Participants were recruited and participated in the protocol from November 2016 to October 2018. RESULTS All primary outcomes (ED symptoms, ED fears) significantly decreased at study completion and six-month follow-up with medium-to-large effect sizes. State anxiety across the exposure and follow-ups significantly decreased, specifically from initial sessions to follow-up. Worry, but not depression, significantly decreased. LIMITATIONS This study was an open case trial and did not include a control condition. CONCLUSIONS Significant decreases in ED symptoms and fears occurred during the course of imaginal exposure treatment. Online imaginal exposure is a feasible treatment for EDs and is associated with decreases in core ED symptomatology, which are comparable in magnitude to decreases seen from other evidence-based treatments. A future randomized-controlled trial is needed. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03712748.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri A Levinson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 317 Life Sciences, University of Louisville, 317 Life Sciences, Louisville, KY 40292, United States.
| | - Caroline Christian
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 317 Life Sciences, University of Louisville, 317 Life Sciences, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
| | - Shruti Shankar Ram
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 317 Life Sciences, University of Louisville, 317 Life Sciences, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
| | - Irina Vanzhula
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 317 Life Sciences, University of Louisville, 317 Life Sciences, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 317 Life Sciences, University of Louisville, 317 Life Sciences, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
| | - Lisa P Michelson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 317 Life Sciences, University of Louisville, 317 Life Sciences, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
| | - Brenna M Williams
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 317 Life Sciences, University of Louisville, 317 Life Sciences, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
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Schaumberg K, Brosof LC, Lloyd EC, Yilmaz Z, Bulik CM, Zerwas SC, Micali N. Prospective associations between childhood neuropsychological profiles and adolescent eating disorders. Eur Eat Disord Rev 2020; 28:156-169. [PMID: 31994257 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cross-sectional associations between eating disorders (EDs) and deficits in neuropsychological functioning have been well documented; however, limited research has examined whether neuropsychological functioning is prospectively associated with EDs. The current study investigated prospective associations between neuropsychological functioning in childhood (ages 8 and 10) and ED behaviours and disorders in adolescence (at ages 14, 16, and 18 years) in a population-based sample. METHOD Participants (N = 4,803) were children enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a population-based, prospective study of women and their children. Regression methods tested associations between facets of neuropsychological functioning (attention, working memory, and inhibition) and eating disorder symptoms and diagnoses. RESULTS Better scores on working memory tasks in childhood were associated with decreased risk of fasting but increased risk of excessive exercise during adolescence. Better inhibitory control was associated with decreased risk for disordered eating at age 14, and attentional difficulties were associated with increased risk for binge eating disorder during adolescence among boys but not girls. CONCLUSIONS Neuropsychological functioning may enhance risk for disordered eating behaviours in specific ways. Overall, effect sizes were small, and results did not support global associations between neuropsychological differences and ED risk in this sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Schaumberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - E Caitlin Lloyd
- School for policy studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Zeynep Yilmaz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Cynthia M Bulik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stephanie C Zerwas
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Nadia Micali
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York.,Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
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Brosof LC, Williams BM, Levinson CA. Exploring the contribution of exercise dependence to eating disorder symptoms. Int J Eat Disord 2020; 53:123-127. [PMID: 31424602 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Exercise dependence is a set of cognitive and behavioral symptoms that constitute a reliance on exercise and is related to eating disorder (ED) symptoms. There are seven components of exercise dependence: tolerance, withdrawal, continuance, lack of control, reduction in other activities, time, and intention effects. Exercising in response to negative affect (NA) is a key feature of dysfunctional exercise in the EDs. However, it is unknown which specific components of exercise dependence relate to ED symptoms, above and beyond NA. METHOD The current study (N = 168 individuals with EDs) investigated which components of exercise dependence relate to ED symptoms both cross-sectionally and prospectively. RESULTS In cross-sectional data, we found that withdrawal, tolerance, and time were associated with ED symptoms, above and beyond NA. Prospectively over 1 month, when adjusting for baseline ED symptoms and NA, we found that lack of control, withdrawal, and time positively predicted ED symptoms. DISCUSSION These findings inform future research on how exercise dependence relates to ED symptoms, showing that withdrawal and time are uniquely associated with ED symptoms both cross-sectionally and over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Brenna M Williams
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Cheri A Levinson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
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Brosof LC, Egbert AH, Reilly EE, Wonderlich JA, Karam A, Vanzhula I, Steward T, Levinson CA. Intolerance of uncertainty moderates the relationship between high personal standards but not evaluative concerns perfectionism and eating disorder symptoms cross-sectionally and prospectively. Eat Behav 2019; 35:101340. [PMID: 31731235 DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2019.101340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Two dimensions of perfectionism related to eating disorder (ED) symptoms are evaluative concerns and high standards. Evaluative concerns are consistently linked with ED symptoms, whereas there are conflicting results regarding high standards and ED symptoms. High standards are unrelated to ED symptoms in some studies and are linked to higher ED symptoms in others. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) may influence the relation between high standards and ED symptoms; individuals elevated in both IU and high standards may find it distressing to be uncertain about future situations for fear of not living up to high expectations and use ED behaviors to cope with such uncertainty. In the current study (N = 216), we explored whether IU moderates the relationships between high standards and evaluative concerns and ED symptoms, both cross-sectionally and prospectively across two weeks. IU significantly moderated high standards and ED symptoms both cross-sectionally and across time while accounting for baseline ED symptoms, but did not moderate the relationship between evaluative concerns and ED symptoms. Higher standards were associated with greater ED symptoms in individuals higher, but not lower in IU. These findings suggest high standards may only contribute to ED symptoms when individuals are also high in IU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Brosof
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Louisville, KY, USA.
| | - Amy H Egbert
- Loyola University Chicago, Department of Psychology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Erin E Reilly
- University of California, San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, San Diego, CA, USA(2); Hofstra University, Department of Psychology, Hempstead, NY, USA(1)
| | | | - Anna Karam
- Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, USA
| | - Irina Vanzhula
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Trevor Steward
- Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, Department of Psychiatry, Barcelona, Spain; School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Cheri A Levinson
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Louisville, KY, USA
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Farrell NR, Brosof LC, Vanzhula IA, Christian C, Bowie OR, Levinson CA. [Exploring Mechanisms of Action in Exposure-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders: The Role of Eating-Related Fears and Body-Related Safety Behaviors]. Behav Ther 2019; 50:1125-1135. [PMID: 31735247 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders includes a component of exposure therapy, which involves patients confronting feared eating and body-related stimuli while preventing safety behaviors. With recent research demonstrating that eating-related fears and safety behaviors are central to eating disorder pathology, there is increased emphasis on improving the efficacy of exposure therapy in eating disorders. Doing so will require a better understanding of important mechanisms of action in this treatment. The present study explored how changes during treatment in eating-related fears and avoidance as well as body-related safety behaviors influence overall treatment outcomes. Individuals with eating disorders (N = 71) receiving exposure-based treatment completed measures of global eating disorder severity at admission and discharge. Hypothesized mechanisms of action were also assessed at admission and discharge as well as at a 2-week time point after beginning treatment. Path modeling analyses showed that decreased eating-related cognitions (feared concerns about eating) and emotions (anxiety about eating) at the 2-week time point were prospectively predictive of lowered global eating disorder symptom severity at discharge. Additionally, reduced body checking and avoidance behaviors after 2 weeks of treatment were also associated with lower eating disorder severity at discharge. These findings highlight the importance of exposure-based therapy in eating disorders and the need to uniquely address eating-related fears and safety behaviors.
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13
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Levinson CA, Christian C, Shankar-Ram S, Brosof LC, Williams B. Sensor technology implementation for research, treatment, and assessment of eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord 2019; 52:1176-1180. [PMID: 31190438 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Sensor technology has made huge technological advances in the past decade. Many sensor technologies (e.g., wearable wristbands) have been integrated into health research with the ability to substantially improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs. Despite the rapid technological developments in sensor technology, little research has examined sensor technology in eating disorders (EDs). The overarching aim of the current article is to briefly review the literature on sensor technology and health outcomes, including EDs, and discuss several potential ideas for the application of sensor technology in the treatment, assessment, and diagnosis of EDs. We will also present data from a feasibility case study with an ED participant and healthy control providing a brief example of how wearable sensor technology might be implemented in ED research. Overall, we will discuss how sensor technology could be used to improve treatment and assessment of EDs and represents an idea in need of more research in the ED field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri A Levinson
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Caroline Christian
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Shruti Shankar-Ram
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Brenna Williams
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
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14
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Christian C, Brosof LC, Vanzhula IA, Williams BM, Shankar Ram S, Levinson CA. Implementation of a dissonance-based, eating disorder prevention program in Southern, all-female high schools. Body Image 2019; 30:26-34. [PMID: 31085488 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence represents a high-risk period for eating disorder development, and there is great need for effective prevention programs targeted at this population. The Body Project, a dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program, has robust literature showing reductions in body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms. However, many additional factors (i.e., comorbid symptoms, transdiagnostic factors) have not yet been examined in relation to the Body Project. Additionally, there is little known about how to most effectively and broadly disseminate this intervention. The current study (N = 332 adolescents) examines eating disorder symptoms, comorbidities, and transdiagnostic risk factors pre- and post-Body Project and at 1-month follow-up. This study is the first examination of the effectiveness of the Body Project implemented within school programming in southern, all-female high schools. Social appearance anxiety, physical and social anxiety sensitivity, rumination, worry, perfectionism, and guilt, but not depression, cognitive anxiety sensitivity, shame, or exercise dependence, decreased pre- to post-intervention and/or 1-month follow-up. These results support the effectiveness of the Body Project in addressing eating disorder symptoms and suggest it may aid in the prevention of comorbid conditions. Additionally, the effectiveness of the intervention was comparable to past investigations, supporting its use in schools across the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Christian
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, United States.
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, United States
| | - Irina A Vanzhula
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, United States
| | - Brenna M Williams
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, United States
| | - Shruti Shankar Ram
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, United States
| | - Cheri A Levinson
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, United States
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15
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Brosof LC, Munn-Chernoff MA, Bulik CM, Baker JH. Associations between eating expectancies and Eating disorder symptoms in men and women. Appetite 2019; 141:104309. [PMID: 31170435 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Eating expectancies, or learned expectations that an individual has about eating, prospectively predict eating disorder (ED) symptoms. Most studies examining eating expectancies have focused on one or two eating expectancies and their relation with bulimic symptoms. In addition, these studies have been conducted mostly in women. Thus, it is unclear whether: 1) associations between eating expectancies and ED symptoms vary between men and women, and 2) extend to ED symptoms other than bulimic symptoms. The current study (N = 197 undergraduate men and 246 undergraduate women) investigated sex variance in a model of eating expectancies and ED symptoms, including factors associated with ED symptoms (i.e., negative urgency, negative affect, alcohol use, drug use, and body mass index). Sex variance was tested using path analysis in a model including eating expectancies and associated factors, with excessive exercise, negative attitudes toward obesity, restricting, cognitive restraint, binge eating, purging, muscle building, and body dissatisfaction as dependent variables. Unconstrained (i.e., unconstrained paths across men and women) and constrained (i.e., constraining paths across men and women) models were tested. The unconstrained and constrained models differed significantly, indicating that the models varied by sex. For both sexes, eating expectancies were uniquely associated with ED symptoms. For men, Eating Manages Negative Affect was significantly associated with the most ED symptoms. In contrast, for women, Eating Leads to Feeling Out of Control was associated with the most ED symptoms. Previous findings regarding eating expectancies and ED symptoms in women may not generalize to men. Intervening on eating expectancies in a sex-specific way may help reduce specific ED symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | | | - Cynthia M Bulik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jessica H Baker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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16
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Brosof LC, Calebs BJ, Levinson CA. Ethnic variance between Asian and European American women in a six month prospective model of eating disorder and social anxiety symptom comorbidity. Eat Disord 2019; 27:110-122. [PMID: 31084428 DOI: 10.1080/10640266.2019.1585678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Eating disorders and social anxiety are highly comorbid. Understanding this comorbidity may improve treatment outcomes, as social anxiety can impair the ability to benefit from eating disorder treatment. The primary model of social anxiety and eating disorder comorbidity includes social appearance anxiety, high standards, and maladaptive perfectionism. In the current study, we tested for ethnic invariance between Asians (n = 82) and European Americans (n = 182) in a cross-sectional and prospective comorbidity model of social anxiety and eating disorder symptoms. Differences were found across ethnicity in eating disorder and social anxiety symptom comorbidity. Maladaptive perfectionism predicted social anxiety and eating disorder symptoms in European Americans, whereas social appearance anxiety predicted social anxiety and eating disorder symptoms in Asians. Our findings suggest that interventions for social anxiety and eating disorders in Asian populations may be improved by assessing and targeting social appearance anxiety, while maladaptive perfectionism should be targeted among European Americans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Brosof
- a Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences , University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
| | - Benjamin J Calebs
- a Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences , University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
| | - Cheri A Levinson
- a Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences , University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
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17
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Sala M, Brosof LC, Levinson CA. Repetitive negative thinking predicts eating disorder behaviors: A pilot ecological momentary assessment study in a treatment seeking eating disorder sample. Behav Res Ther 2018; 112:12-17. [PMID: 30466030 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2018.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repetitive negative thinking is a transdiagnostic process that occurs across several psychological disorders, including eating disorders. Individuals with eating disorders have higher levels of repetitive negative thinking than controls, and repetitive negative thinking is associated with eating disorder behaviors. However, no study has measured how momentary repetitive negative thinking may subsequently impact daily eating disorder behaviors and vice-versa. METHOD In the current study (N = 66, recently treated individuals recruited from an eating disorder treatment center), we examined the relationship between repetitive negative thinking and subsequent eating disorder behaviors and vice-versa using ecological momentary assessment. RESULTS We found that higher momentary repetitive negative thinking predicted higher subsequent weighing and body checking. We also found that higher momentary meal-specific repetitive negative thinking predicted higher subsequent weighing and lower subsequent compensatory behavior. We also found that higher repetitive negative thinking predicted higher eating disorder symptoms at one-month follow-up. CONCLUSION There are short-term and long-term negative effects of repetitive negative thinking in the eating disorders. Targeting repetitive negative thinking may be important for decreasing eating disorder behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Sala
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Cheri A Levinson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
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18
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Levinson CA, Vanzhula I, Brosof LC. Longitudinal and personalized networks of eating disorder cognitions and behaviors: Targets for precision intervention a proof of concept study. Int J Eat Disord 2018; 51:1233-1243. [PMID: 30291641 DOI: 10.1002/eat.22952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the high mortality and significant societal and personal costs associated with eating disorders (EDs) there are few evidence-based treatments. Part of the difficulty developing and implementing evidence-based treatments in EDs is due to the extremely high heterogeneity (e.g., variability in treatment outcome, symptom presentation etc) present. METHODS To begin to identify specific symptom heterogeneity within persons, the current study used novel within and between group and intra-individual network analyses to create longitudinal and within-person networks of ED cognitions and behaviors (N = 66 individuals diagnosed with an ED). This article provides a proof of concept study for how to use between and within-person network analyses both for the EDs and other forms of psychopathology. RESULTS We found that cognitions focused on desiring thinness played a likely maintaining role in ED pathology, across network type and across time. Furthermore, we showed that three individuals with the same diagnosis (anorexia nervosa) differed in which symptoms maintained the disorder. We use these participants to exemplify how to use intra-individual network analysis to personalize treatment focused on the primary maintaining symptoms. Finally, we found that amount of time (e.g., 4 hr vs. simultaneously) impacts how symptoms maintain each other. CONCLUSIONS These findings have implications for the development of novel personalized evidence-based treatments for EDs, as well as implications for how the field understands how psychopathology maintains itself. These data represent a first-step towards using intra-individual network analyses in the ED field, as well as for hypotheses generation in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri A Levinson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Irina Vanzhula
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
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19
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Baker JH, Brosof LC, Munn-Chernoff MA, Lichtenstein P, Larsson H, Maes HH, Kendler KS. Associations Between Alcohol Involvement and Drive for Thinness and Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescent Twins: A Bivariate Twin Study. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:2214-2223. [PMID: 30252141 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol involvement has familial associations with bulimic symptoms (i.e., binge eating, inappropriate compensatory behaviors), with several studies indicating a genetic overlap between the two. It is unclear whether overlapping familial risk with alcohol involvement extends to other eating disorder symptoms. Understanding the genetic overlap between alcohol involvement and other eating disorder symptoms may aid in more targeted interventions for comorbid alcohol use-eating disorder symptoms. Thus, we investigated associations between alcohol involvement and 2 core eating disorder symptoms: drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction in adolescent female and male twins. METHODS We assessed 3 levels of alcohol involvement: alcohol use in the last month, having ever been intoxicated, and alcohol intoxication frequency via self-report. The Eating Disorder Inventory-II assessed drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction. Sex-specific biometrical twin modeling examined the genetic overlap between alcohol involvement and eating disorder symptoms. RESULTS Phenotypic associations between alcohol involvement, drive for thinness, and body dissatisfaction were significantly greater in girls compared with boys. A majority of the associations between alcohol involvement, drive for thinness, and body dissatisfaction in girls, but not boys, met our threshold for twin modeling (phenotypic r > 0.20). Moderate genetic correlations were observed between the 3 aspects of alcohol involvement and drive for thinness. Moderate genetic correlations were observed between alcohol use and intoxication frequency and body dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS Together with the literature on alcohol involvement and bulimic symptoms, these findings suggest a generalized association between alcohol involvement and eating disorder symptoms in girls, whereas this association may be symptom specific in boys. Genetic correlations indicate that the amount and direction of this genetic overlap differs across specific symptoms. When intervening on comorbid alcohol involvement and eating disorder symptoms, it may be important to target-specific eating disorder symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica H Baker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Melissa A Munn-Chernoff
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Paul Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik Larsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Medical Science, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Hermine H Maes
- Department of Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Kenneth S Kendler
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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20
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Levinson CA, Zerwas SC, Brosof LC, Thornton LM, Strober M, Pivarunas B, Crowley JJ, Yilmaz Z, Berrettini WH, Brandt H, Crawford S, Fichter MM, Halmi KA, Johnson C, Kaplan AS, La Via M, Mitchell J, Rotondo A, Woodside DB, Kaye WH, Bulik CM. Associations between dimensions of anorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder: An examination of personality and psychological factors in patients with anorexia nervosa. Eur Eat Disord Rev 2018; 27:161-172. [PMID: 30136346 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Anorexia nervosa (AN) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are highly comorbid. However, the factors that account for this comorbidity are poorly understood. We examined the core dimensions of AN and OCD and psychological and personality factors shared by both disorders. METHOD In path analyses (N = 732 women with either current AN or recovered from AN), we examined which factors were uniquely and independently associated with the core dimensions of AN and OCD. We also examined recovery from AN as a moderator. RESULTS When individuals with AN reported greater concern over mistakes, they endorsed more severity in both AN and OCD core dimensions. These unique associations existed above and beyond all other transdiagnostic personality and psychological factors and regardless of AN recovery status. CONCLUSIONS Concern over mistakes partially accounts for severity in the core dimensions of both AN and OCD. Concern over mistakes may represent an important target in the aetiology of AN and OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri A Levinson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Stephanie C Zerwas
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Laura M Thornton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Michael Strober
- UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - James J Crowley
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Zeynep Yilmaz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Wade H Berrettini
- Center of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Harry Brandt
- Center for Eating Disorders, Sheppard Pratt Health System, Towson, Maryland
| | - Steven Crawford
- Center for Eating Disorders, Sheppard Pratt Health System, Towson, Maryland
| | - Manfred M Fichter
- Klinik Roseneck, Hospital for Behavioral Medicine and University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Katherine A Halmi
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital - Westchester Division, White Plains, New York
| | | | - Allan S Kaplan
- Program for Eating Disorders, Toronto General Hospital and University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maria La Via
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - James Mitchell
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, North Dakota
| | - Alessandro Rotondo
- Department of Psychiatry, Pharmacology and Biotechnologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - D Blake Woodside
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Cynthia M Bulik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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21
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Levinson CA, Brosof LC, Vanzhula I, Christian C, Jones P, Rodebaugh TL, Langer JK, White EK, Warren C, Weeks JW, Menatti A, Lim MH, Fernandez KC. Social anxiety and eating disorder comorbidity and underlying vulnerabilities: Using network analysis to conceptualize comorbidity. Int J Eat Disord 2018; 51:693-709. [PMID: 30102777 DOI: 10.1002/eat.22890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Eating disorders (EDs) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) are highly co-occurring. This comorbidity is extremely relevant, given that individuals with comorbid ED-SAD are less likely to seek and/or benefit from ED treatment. METHOD We used network analysis to conceptualize ED-SAD comorbidity in a sample of 2,215 participants with a primary diagnosis of ED, SAD, or no known diagnosis. We used novel network analyses methods to select symptoms for our models, identify potential illness pathways (i.e., bridge symptoms) between disorders and underlying vulnerabilities (e.g., perfectionism, social appearance anxiety), and to compare across sample types (e.g., clinical vs. nonclinical). We also tested several novel network analyses methods aimed at the following methodological concerns: (a) topological concerns (i.e., which items should be included in NA models), (b) how to use empirical indices to quantify bridge symptoms and (c) what differences in networks across samples mean. RESULTS We found that difficulty with drinking beverages and eating in public were bridge symptoms between ED and SAD. We also found that feeling nervous about one's appearance was a bridge symptom. CONCLUSIONS We identified public eating and drinking as bridge symptoms between EDs and SAD. Future research is needed to test if interventions focused on public eating and drinking might decrease symptoms of both EDs and SAD. Researchers can use this study (code provided) as an exemplar for how to use network analysis, as well as to use network analysis to conceptualize ED comorbidity and compare network structure and density across samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri A Levinson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 40292
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 40292
| | - Irina Vanzhula
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 40292
| | - Caroline Christian
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 40292
| | - Payton Jones
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Thomas L Rodebaugh
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Julia K Langer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Emily K White
- Neurological Institute Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Cortney Warren
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada
| | - Justin W Weeks
- Department of Psychology, Ohio University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Andrew Menatti
- Department of Psychology, Ohio University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Michelle H Lim
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Katya C Fernandez
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
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22
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Levinson CA, Sala M, Fewell L, Brosof LC, Fournier L, Lenze EJ. Meal and snack-time eating disorder cognitions predict eating disorder behaviors and vice versa in a treatment seeking sample: A mobile technology based ecological momentary assessment study. Behav Res Ther 2018; 105:36-42. [PMID: 29614379 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with eating disorders experience high anxiety when eating, which may contribute to the high relapse rates seen in the eating disorders. However, it is unknown if specific cognitions associated with such anxiety (e.g., fears of gaining weight) may lead to engagement in eating disorder behaviors (e.g., weighing oneself). Participants (N = 66) recently treated at a residential eating disorder facility and diagnosed with an eating disorder (primarily anorexia nervosa; n = 40; 60.6%) utilized a mobile application to answer questions about mealtime cognitions, anxiety, and eating disorder behaviors four times a day for one week. Hierarchical linear models using cross-lag analyses identified that there were quasi-causal (and sometimes reciprocal) within-person relationships between specific eating disorder cognitions and subsequent eating disorder behaviors. These cognitions predicted higher anxiety during the next meal and eating disorder pathology at one-month follow-up. Interventions personalized to target these specific cognitions in real time might reduce eating disorder relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri A Levinson
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, USA.
| | - Margarita Sala
- Southern Methodist University, Department of Psychology, USA
| | - Laura Fewell
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, USA
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, USA
| | - Lauren Fournier
- Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, USA
| | - Eric J Lenze
- Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Psychiatry, USA
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Levinson CA, Brosof LC, Vanzhula IA, Bumberry L, Zerwas S, Bulik CM. Perfectionism Group Treatment for Eating Disorders in an Inpatient, Partial Hospitalization, and Outpatient Setting. Eur Eat Disord Rev 2018; 25:579-585. [PMID: 29057604 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Perfectionism is elevated in individuals with eating disorders and is posited to be a risk factor, maintaining factor, and treatment barrier. However, there has been little literature testing the feasibility and effectiveness of perfectionism interventions in individuals specifically with eating disorders in an open group format. In the current study, we tested the feasibility of (a) a short cognitive behavioural therapy for perfectionism intervention delivered in an inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient for eating disorders setting (combined N = 28; inpatient n = 15; partial hospital n = 9; outpatient n = 4), as well as (b) a training for disseminating the treatment in these settings (N = 9). Overall, we found that it was feasible to implement a perfectionism group in each treatment setting, with both an open and closed group format. This research adds additional support for the implementation of perfectionism group treatment for eating disorders and provides information on the feasibility of implementing such interventions across multiple settings. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri A Levinson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, USA
| | - Leigh C Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, USA
| | - Irina A Vanzhula
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, USA
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24
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Sala M, Brosof LC, Rosenfield D, Fernandez KC, Levinson CA. Stress is associated with exercise differently among individuals with higher and lower eating disorder symptoms: An ecological momentary assessment study. Int J Eat Disord 2017; 50:1413-1420. [PMID: 29098699 PMCID: PMC5761745 DOI: 10.1002/eat.22799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Stress is associated with the maintenance of eating disorders and exercise behaviors. However, it is unclear how stress is associated with exercise and vice-versa among individuals with higher levels of eating disorder symptoms in daily life. The current study tested the moderating effect of eating disorder symptoms on the relationships between (1) daily stress and later exercise behavior and (2) daily exercise behavior and later stress. METHOD Female college students [N = 129, mean age = 19.19 (SD = 1.40)] completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-2. Participants then completed measures of stress and exercise four times daily across seven days using an automated telephone ecological momentary assessment system. Data were analyzed using multilevel models. RESULTS Drive for thinness, bulimic symptoms, and body dissatisfaction significantly moderated the relationship between daily stress and later exercise (ps = .01-.05), such that higher daily stress predicted higher later exercise only in individuals who were low (but not average or high) in drive for thinness, bulimic symptoms, and body dissatisfaction symptoms. DISCUSSION Stress is associated with exercise differentially depending on individuals' eating disorder symptoms. Our findings suggest that only individuals with lower levels of eating disorder symptoms exercise when stressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Sala
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
| | - Leigh C. Brosof
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
| | - David Rosenfield
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
| | - Katya C. Fernandez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Cheri A. Levinson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
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Brosof LC, Levinson CA. Social appearance anxiety and dietary restraint as mediators between perfectionism and binge eating: A six month three wave longitudinal study. Appetite 2016; 108:335-342. [PMID: 27742237 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2016.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Binge eating is related to perfectionism and restrained eating. However, the mechanisms underlying these relationships are not well understood. It is possible that social anxiety, specifically social appearance anxiety (i.e., the fear of overall appearance evaluation), influences the relationship between binge eating, perfectionism, and dietary restraint. In the current study (N = 300 women), we tested the relationship between dietary restraint, social appearance anxiety, concern over mistakes (a component of perfectionism), and binge eating in prospective data (three time points: at baseline, at two month, and at six month follow up). We found that social appearance anxiety, dietary restraint, and concern over mistakes each predicted binge eating at baseline. Only social appearance anxiety prospectively predicted binge eating when accounting for all variables. Further, in the tested model, social appearance anxiety mediated the relationship between concern over mistakes and binge eating across six months. On the contrary, dietary restraint did not mediate the relationship between concern over mistakes and binge eating in the tested model. The finding that social appearance anxiety served as a mediator between concern over mistakes and binge eating, but that dietary restraint did not, implies that social appearance anxiety may be a more salient prospective predictor of binge eating than dietary restraint. Intervening on social appearance anxiety may be important in the treatment and prevention of binge eating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Brosof
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, United States
| | - Cheri A Levinson
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, United States.
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