The relationship of perfectionism with changes in body dissatisfaction in eating disorders treatment outcome

Abstract

Introduction

Body dissatisfaction is one of the core psychopathological components in Eating Disorders (EDs) and it tends to persist over time regardless treatment interventions. Perfectionism is considered as a mediator and moderator between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating.

Objectives

To study the influence of Perfectionism in EDs outcome.

Aims

To analyze changes in body dissatisfaction at one year follow-up in patients with eating disorders and the effect of perfectionism over these changes.

Methods

Participants were 151 patients with eating disorders. DSM-IVTR diagnoses were as follows: 44 (29.1%) Anorexia Nervosa (AN), 55 (36.4%) Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and 52 (34.4%) Eating Disorders no Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). Perfectionism was assessed with the Edinburg Investigatory Test (EDI-2). The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was also distributed. One year after the beginning of their treatment, patients were reassessed.

Results

Patients with BN showed significantly higher scores on BSQ than those with AN. There was a significant improvement in BSQ after one year of treatment regardless the diagnostic (repeated measures ANOVA: F 8.4, P<.01). Perfectionism was a co-variable that influenced in those changes.

Conclusions

The results confirm the interaction between perfectionism and body dissatisfaction in the treatment outcome of EDs. It has been described an interplay between Perfectionism, body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours, being Perfectionism a moderator factor. The results highlight the need of dealing not only with the core symptoms of EDs, but also with the moderator factors such as Perfectionism to enhance the outcome.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.