A Perfect Storm: Examining the Synergistic Effects of Negative and Positive Emotional Instability on Promoting Weight Loss Activities in Anorexia Nervosa

Frontiers in Psychology

Jason eLavender¹  Kara eFehling²  Emily A Panza²  Edward A Selby²  Amy eKranzler²  Daniel eLe Grange³  Talea eCornelius⁴  Scott eCrow⁵  Carol ePeterson⁵  Scott eEngel⁶  James eMitchell⁶  Stephen eWonderlich⁶  Ross eCrosby⁶ 

[1] Neuropsychiatric Research Institute;Rutgers University;University of Chicago;University of Connecticut;University of Minnesota;University of North Dakota School of Medicine;

关键词: Anorexia Nervosa;    positive emotion;    emotional instability;    purging;    Weighing;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01260

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Growing evidence indicates that both positive and negative emotion potentially influence the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa, through both positive and negative reinforcement of weight loss activities. Such reactive emotional experience may be characterized by frequent and intense fluctuations in emotion, a construct known as emotional instability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between positive emotional instability and weight loss activities in anorexia nervosa, and to investigate the synergistic effects of positive and negative emotional instability on promoting weight loss activities. Using ecological momentary assessment methods, 118 participants with anorexia nervosa reported their emotional experiences and behaviors at least six times daily over two weeks using a portable digital device. Using generalized linear modeling, results indicated that high levels of both positive and negative emotional instability, and the interaction between the two, were associated with more frequent weight-loss activities, beyond anorexia subtype and mean levels of emotional intensity. These findings indicate that when women with anorexia exhibit both high levels of both positive and negative emotional instability they are more prone to a variety of weight loss activities. The importance of addressing the role of both positive and negative emotion in anorexia treatment is discussed.

【 授权许可】

Unknown