This study considers and explores the relationship between eating disorders and the cognitive processes of attentional bias and cognitive avoidance. These processes are also considered in terms of their contribution to the current theoretical conceptualisations of eating disorders and how this may potentially inform treatment. Previous research in the field is limited yet indicates that attentional biases exist in eating disorders, at least for disorder-specific stimuli using well recognised experimental paradigms. The research into cognitive avoidance is scarce yet has indicated that those with bulimic tendencies may use this cognitive strategy. A modified emotional Stroop task and an anagram solution task were used to evaluate experimental hypotheses postulating that attentional bias to and cognitive avoidance of disorder relevant and self-esteem threat stimuli would be present in a group of patients with an eating disorder (N=23) in comparison with a control group (N=34). Using the emotional Stroop, the results showed limited support for the presence of attentional biases in eating disorders. For the anagram solution task, some limited evidence was found for the presence of cognitive avoidance in the clinical eating disorder sample. The limitations of the study were considered and discussed, with an emphasis on improvements for future research using these experimental paradigms. The findings of the study were also discussed in relation to the implications for eating disorder theory and treatment.

The Anorexia Bulimia Inventory, a recently developed self-report questionnaire for the assessment of eating disorders, addresses two major limitations found in existing self-report eating disorder inventories. First, it comprehensively assesses the diagnostic symptoms of both bulimia and anorexia nervosa; and second, it assesses the frequently cooccurring problem areas (e.g., depression, anergia) that may be targeted in treatment planning for eating disorders. Although initial research on the psychometrics of the instrument appears promising, no research has yet investigated its factor structure. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to investigate the factor structure of the Anorexia Bulimia Inventory. Principal axis factor analysis with a varimax rotation was used on a combined clinical and nonclinical sample. The overall sample (N = 1,675) was randomly divided to provide a replication of the factor analysis. Using the two separate samples and the combined, total sample, one seven-factor solution and two eight-factor solutions emerged. All factors met conventional standards for internal consistency, with the exception of one factor consisting of only three items. The results of this study suggest that the factor structure of the Anorexia Bulimia Inventory closely parallels the intuitively designed subscales. All nine subscales emerged as separate, interpretable factors in at least one sample. Four subscales were clearly corroborated by the factor analysis, suggesting that these factors represent stable constructs that are relevant to populations at-risk for the development of eating disorders. The factor analyses provided moderate corroboration of four other subscales. Although these four factors did show deviations across samples, they all emerged as interpretable factors, suggesting that the constructs likely reflect some of the prominent ideational and behavioral issues relevant to at-risk populations. Finally, one subscale emerged as an interpretable factor in only one sample. This failure to replicate across samples may reflect problems in the wording or choice of items included on the subscale, or it could indicate that these issues are less relevant for at-risk populations. The results of this study, together with the existing evidence of the measure's psychometric properties, support the use of the Anorexia Bulimia Inventory in the assessment of eating disorders.

En matière d’art-thérapies, si la littérature permet de relever les effets positifs de la pratique du théâtre en thérapie, elle reste peu référencée à une psychopathologie spécifique et/ou à des indications susceptibles de démontrer la relation supposée entre théâtre, psychologie et effets cathartiques. La médiation théâtrale a pourtant la particularité d’amener à un travail conjoint avec le corps, la voix, l’expression du regard et de l’émotion, référée à une palette de techniques éprouvées, à même de conduire à la construction de dispositifs spécifiques adoptés à tels ou tels symptômes et/ou pathologies. Dans ce contexte, un dispositif spécifique a été développé avec 30 personnes hospitalisées pour troubles des conduites alimentaires (TCA). Celui-ci s’étaye principalement sur le livre de Nathalie Sarraute Enfance ainsi que sur les techniques du travail de l’acteur. Une évaluation des représentations et des processus a été réalisée en procédure test/re-test avec une grille d’observation théâtrale et clinique. Les résultats permettent de voir, sur le plan artistique, clinique et statistique, que pour l’ensemble de ces personnes le théâtre aide à la construction et à l’affirmation de l’image de soi. Par ailleurs, il leur permet de ressentir, percevoir, de reconnaître et exprimer leurs émotions et de développer ainsi des stratégies de coping théâtral. Globalement, il se produit une certaine interpénétration : si le théâtre est une médiation pertinente pour les personnes TCA, elles apportent de leur côté une monstration symbolisante singulière et enrichissante aux différents dispositifs théâtraux. L’important est de créer, ou recréer, dans un aller-retour, le passage du corps au je(u) et du je(u) au corps par le biais de la catharsis, tant psychologique qu’esthétique et théâtrale des deux côtés de la scène. In fine, la catharsis apparaît comme le processus fondamental réunissant thérapies médiatisées et théâtre dans une démarche novatrice. / In art-therapy, although literature can raise the positive effects of Theatre practice in therapy, it is little referenced to a specific psychopathology and/ or indications which may demonstrate the hypothesised relationship between Theatre, psychology and cathartic effects. However, theatrical mediation is unique in that it joins together work with body, voice, gaze and emotional expression, referring to a range of proven techniques, and allowing the construction of specific devices adapted to such and such symptoms and/ or pathologies. In this context, a specific device was developed with 30 people hospitalised for eating disorders (ED). It is based mainly on the book “Childhood” by Nathalie Sarraute, and on the technical work of the Actor. An assessment of the shows and processes was conducted by following a test/ re-test procedure, with an observation grid including both theatrical and clinical aspects. The results allow us to see that for all involved, Theatre helps artistically, clinically and statistically in the construction and affirmation of self-image. Moreover, it allows them to feel, perceive, recognise and express their emotions and develop theatrical coping strategies.Overall, there is some inter-penetration: if Theatre is a mediation relevant to people with ED, they bring their own particularly symbolising and uniquely enriching monstration to said various theatrical devices. The key is to create, or recreate through an exchange, the journey between body and JE(u) (I/play) and JE(u) (I/play) to the body through psychological, aesthetical and theatrical catharsis on both sides of the stage. In fine, catharsis appears as the fundamental process uniting mediated therapies and Theatre in an innovative approach.

Thesis (Ed. S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 32-36).

Die vorliegende Arbeit entwickelt einen Vorschlag für einen neuen, kompakteren Fragebogen mit dem Akronym „BaFEK-45“ zur Diagnostik von Essstörungen, der auf einer statistischen Analyse von Daten aus fünf bereits etablierten Fragebogen (ANIS, EAT – 26, FBeK, EDI – 2, EDES) mit einer Gesamtzahl von 231 Items basiert. Dabei wurden die Antworten von Patientinnen aus den 1990er- und 2000er-Jahren der Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik des Kindes- und Jugendalters der Universität Leipzig ausgewertet. Auf Grundlage zweier „Signalfragen“ zu Ess-Anfällen wurden die Fragebogen-Serien in drei Gruppen (anorektisch, bulimisch und grenzwertig) eingeteilt, daraufhin konnte eine Analyse zu den Unterschieden im Antwortverhalten zwischen eben diesen Gruppe vorgenommen werden. Nach einem auf dieser Analyse basierenden Auswahlverfahren wurden die verbliebenen Items einer mehrstufigen Faktorenanalyse und kritischen inhaltlichen Differenzierung unterzogen. An deren Ende steht der o.g. Vorschlag eines neuen Diagnostikinstruments, das sich aus 45 Fragen in fünf Skalen zusammensetzt.