Compulsive exercise has been observed as a significant feature of the eating disorders throughout their history. It has variously been conceptualised as primarily an analogue of purgation, an emotion regulation strategy, an addiction, or an obsessivecompulsive behaviour, with evidence supporting each to varying degrees. The importance of compulsive exercise is underlined by the finding that it often precedes the onset of an eating disorder and is one of the last symptoms to subside. In addition, it is associated with a longer length of hospitalisation and higher rates of relapse. As a result, compulsive exercise is now recognised as a significant factor in the aetiology, development and maintenance of the eating disorders across diagnoses. Yet despite the importance of compulsive exercise and previous recommendations to target it, no clear conceptual model of compulsive exercise exists upon which an intervention could be based. This thesis has three broad aims: (1) critically review the evidence for and against factors implicated in the maintenance of compulsive exercise and propose a new theoretically coherent and empirically derived model of compulsive exercise that could be used to inform future cognitive-behavioural interventions; (2) develop and provide preliminary validation for a new measure of compulsive exercise; and (3) present six studies utilising the new measure of compulsive exercise to empirically test some of the relationships suggested by the proposed model. Main findings: The resulting Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) is a new multidimensional measure of compulsive exercise, consistent with the proposed cognitive-behavioural conceptualisation, and demonstrating good psychometric properties. Utilising the CET, the empirical chapters demonstrate that compulsive exercise was associated with (a) elevated levels of eating-disordered cognitions and increased frequency of eating-disordered behaviours, (b) avoidanceoriented coping and a range of difficulties in regulating emotions, and (c) perfectionism (particularly the self-critical dimension). Implications: The current findings provide preliminary support for the proposed cognitive-behavioural maintenance model of compulsive exercise. This may inform clinical interventions and prevention programs designed to address compulsive exercise, as well as enhancing current treatment efficacy by providing specific targets for intervention. In addition, the new measure of compulsive exercise is potentially a useful screening tool in formulating the maintenance of an individual's exercise behaviour, and is further a potentially useful research and outcome tool.

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / Increased rates of alcohol abuse and childhood trauma have been reported in previous studies of anxiety disorders, and social anxiety disorder (SAD) in particular. Yet the exact nature of this relationship remains unclear. This study aimed to assess whether SAD is a risk factor for later development of alcohol use disorders (AUD) and to investigate the association of childhood trauma with the prospective SAD-AUD comorbidity in adults with SAD. Data from fifty seven adult participants (N=57) with a primary diagnosis of SAD (mean age 36.7; 60% male) completed the self-rated Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) as well as the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), a measure of SAD symptom severity. Alcohol abuse and dependence information were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I Disorders-Patient Version (SCID-I/P). Data from sixty two adult age and gender match controls were used as a comparison group. A Cognitive Behavioural Model and the Social Learning Model are the theoretical frameworks utilised in the conceptualisation of this research. The data is quantitative in nature and will be statistically analysed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression and ANOVA using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Informed consent was obtained in writing from all participants. The findings of the study were that 73.7% of the SAD sample met severity criteria for at least one type of childhood abuse or neglect as measured by the CTQ subscales using previously established thresholds. Physical neglect was found to be significantly associated with increased SAD symptom severity.17.5% of the SAD sample had a comorbid lifetime alcohol use disorder (AUD) and of those 80% reported experiencing childhood trauma. In conclusion there was a high rate of childhood trauma in individuals with SAD and there is a strong association between childhood trauma and comorbid AUDs in those with SAD.Thus screening for childhood trauma in SAD individuals is clinically prudent.

The study sought to explore the influence of gastrointestinal symptoms in female respondents with emetophobia disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia and obsessive compulsive disorder. The research assessed a sample of sixty respondents which formed part of three groups which were recruited from clinical and online support groups. The age ranged from twenty to forty-five years. Non-probability quota sampling was employed. A non-experimental research design was implemented in order to make comparisons between these groups’ association of gastrointestinal symptoms and the occurrence of possible vomiting. The differential research strategy determined whether a statistically significant difference existed. The groups were assessed on the Gastrointestinal Symptom Score (2005) and the Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Index (2004). The research aimed to determine whether empirical support exists for the Cognitive Behavioural Model of Emetophobia by Boschen (2007). / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

The study sought to explore the influence of gastrointestinal symptoms in female respondents with emetophobia disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia and obsessive compulsive disorder. The research assessed a sample of sixty respondents which formed part of three groups which were recruited from clinical and online support groups. The age ranged from twenty to forty-five years. Non-probability quota sampling was employed. A non-experimental research design was implemented in order to make comparisons between these groups’ association of gastrointestinal symptoms and the occurrence of possible vomiting. The differential research strategy determined whether a statistically significant difference existed. The groups were assessed on the Gastrointestinal Symptom Score (2005) and the Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Index (2004). The research aimed to determine whether empirical support exists for the Cognitive Behavioural Model of Emetophobia by Boschen (2007). / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)