Eating Disorders and the Rorschach

Author(s):  
Silvia Monica Guinzbourg de Braude ◽  
Sarah Vibert ◽  
Tommaso Righetti ◽  
Arianna Antonelli

Abstract. In this article we review research on eating disorders with the Rorschach. In this field there are two main lines of research involving two specific methodologies: the Comprehensive System and the French school. We present the main results of the different studies separately and then comment on some similarities and differences in the findings. We find that the results of these studies are complementary on certain aspects of functioning found in anorexia nervosa as compared with other categories of eating disorders. Both sets of studies underline the self-centeredness of anorexic patients with their difficulty in communicating their feelings and thoughts. In both types of study, treatment is understood as relying on an integrative and multidisciplinary model that seeks to modify the eating behaviors and to improve ego functions in order to moderate the patient’s distress. In addition, both types of research show that secure attachment would be the first priority for the therapist in psychological treatment, which should increase the patient’s confidence in others. They also both stress the importance of the restoration of self-esteem and a sense of identity through the support offered by the relationship to the therapist.

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M. Frederick ◽  
Virginia M. Grow

This study expands upon existing literature by examining how the relationship between autonomy deficits and low self-esteem may create a psychological environment conducive to the development of eating disordered behaviors. Findings supported a mediational model to account for eating disordered behaviors in 71 college women. In this model, lack of autonomy was related to decreased global self-esteem, which in turn was associated with bulimia, body dissatisfaction, and drive for thinness. Although only tentative and cross-sectional in nature, this study is of particular importance because it links autonomy and self-esteem in a coherent model predictive of eating disordered behaviors in college women. Developmental aspects of eating disorders and treatment implications are discussed.


Author(s):  
Simonetta Marucci ◽  
Giulia De Iaco ◽  
Giuseppe Lisco ◽  
Francesco Mariano ◽  
Vito Angelo Giagulli ◽  
...  

: Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at risk of clinical eating disorders (EDs) and disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) than the general population. This burden is related mainly to diabetes-related physical and psychosocial issues especially beginning during childhood. DEBs must be investigated carefully and promptly managed in case of suspicion, as they can evolve into severe clinical EDs over time and are strictly related to poor outcomes. The significant number of scientific articles dealing with the relationship between T1D and DEBs or EDs confirms the complexity of these problems and the difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. This paper examined current scientific literature related to this topic, emphasizing the epidemiological and clinical complexity of the phenomenon and briefly summarizing EDBs management strategy in T1D patients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 158 (27) ◽  
pp. 1058-1066
Author(s):  
Tamás Dömötör Szalai

Abstract: Introduction: Attachment dysfunctions determine borderline personality disorder, which is a frequent background factor of multi-impulsivity; however, the relationship between attachment and multi-impulsive eating disorders is almost unexplored. Aim: To compare attachment features of multi-impulsive and classical eating disorder patients with individuals without eating disorders, and to test attachment as a predictor of multi-impulsivity. Method: A cross-sectional survey (148 females, mean age: 30.9 years) investigated maternal, paternal and adult attachment, depression, anxiety, eating disorder and multi-impulsive symptoms in these groups. Results: Altogether 41.3% of the individuals without eating disorders, 17.6% of classical and 11.8% of multi-impulsive eating disorder patients had secure attachment. Multi-impulsive patients had the most severe eating disorder symptoms (F(2) = 17.733) and the lowest paternal care (F(2) = 3.443). Preoccupied and fearful attachment explained 14.5% of multi-impulsive symptoms; however, with adjustment for depression only latter one remained the predictor of multi-impulsivity (t = 5.166, p<0.01). Conclusion: Multi-impulsives are a distinct subgroup of eating disorder patients from the aspects of both symptoms and attachment. Handling their negative moods may hold therapeutic potentials. Longitudinal studies are required to investigate the therapeutic value of paternal care, attachment preoccupation and fearfulness. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(27): 1058–1066.


2000 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot M Goldner ◽  
Josie Geller ◽  
C Laird Birmingham ◽  
Ronald A Remick

Shoplifting behaviours were examined in an eating disorder group (EDG, n = 48), a psychiatric control group (PCG, n = 46), and an undergraduate control group (UCG, n = 82). They were examined in relation to self-esteem, depression, and eating disorder symptomatology. The 3 groups did not differ in overall history of shoplifting, but EDG women were more likely to have shoplifted in the past 6 months (current shoplifting) and to have shoplifted often than were women from the PCG or UCG. Across all 3 groups, current shoplifting was associated with low self-esteem, elevated depression, and purging behaviours at the time of the assessment. The implications of these findings with regard to the relationship between shoplifting and eating disorder symptomatology will be addressed.


Author(s):  
Ahmad Al- Shraifin

The study aimed to explore the causal relationships between supervising working alliance, counseling self-esteem and attachment styles through a causal model adopting a path analysis method. The study sample consisted of 289 counseling students at Yarmouk University. Three scales were administered to measure the supervising working alliance, self-esteem and attachment styles.  Results showed a direct relationship between avoidant attachment styles and supervising working alliance, and an indirect relationship with counseling self-esteem. There was a direct relationship between secure attachment style, supervising working alliance and counseling self-esteem; and between supervising working alliance and counseling self-esteem.  In addition, direct and indirect relationships were evident between avoidant attachment style and special relationship domain of supervising working alliance and counseling self-esteem; whereas it affected client focus domain with a direct relationship. Direct relationships also were evident between secure attachment styles, the relationship domain and self-focus domain.  


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Seijo

Eating disorders are considered some of the most difficult to treat and have the highest mortality rate of all mental disorders (Agras, 2001). Among them, anorexia nervosa is one of the psychiatric diagnoses with the highest mortality rate (Arcelus et al., 2011). In a longitudinal study conducted by Bulkin et al. (2007) from 1980 to 2005, it was found that – 80 – General question of world science applying medication and working with behavior yielded inconclusive results (Openshaw, et al. 2004). If eating disorders were solely dependent on food, it would make sense that changing eating behaviors makes it easier to get out of the disorder. Unfortunately, however, this is often not the case. The clinical case presented here is a clear example of the relationship between eating disorders and trauma, particularly sexual, emotional, power, and physical abuse.


Author(s):  
Justyna TREPKA-STAROSTA ◽  
◽  
Agnieszka ROSZKOWKSA ◽  
Jolanta STAROSTA ◽  
Anna PIEKACZ ◽  
...  

Purpose: This research is devoted to the phenomenon of various factors related to the occurrence of eating disorders. The paper focuses on the subject of body image, attitudes towards body and behaviors of young women. Design/methodology/approach: Analyzing the results of the respondents, it was necessary to check whether there are any factors which predict the occurrence of eating disorders, as well as whether the respondents have knowledge of basic eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia or obesity. Women aged 19-25 years took part in the study, where such variables as attitudes and behaviors towards their bodies, beauty stereotypes, peer criticism, methods of improving appearance, satisfaction with their appearance, physical attractiveness and self-esteem were verified. The following methods were used in this research: Body Image Questionnaire, The Scale for Using Appearance Enhancement Methods, The Scale of Satisfaction with Individual Body Part and Body parameters, Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory. Findings: The analysis of the results indicates that there is a significant relation between low self-esteem, peer criticism, the need to be accepted and the occurrence of eating disorders. Practical implications: The research can contribute to the development of new educational programmes in schools to increase young people's knowledge and awareness about eating disorders. Furthermore, the result may also be important in the prevention of possible diseases. Originality/value: This research can contribute to the better understanding of psychological conditions of eating disorders, especially on Polish population of young women.


2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 340-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trent A. Petrie ◽  
Christy Greenleaf ◽  
Jennifer E. Carter ◽  
Justine J. Reel

Few studies have been conducted examining male athletes and eating disorders, even though the sport environment may increase their risk. Thus, little information exists regarding the relationship of putative risk factors to eating disorders in this group. To address this issue, we examined the relationship of eating disorder classification to the risk factors of body image concerns (including drive for muscularity), negative affect, weight pressures, and disordered eating behaviors. Male college athletes (N= 199) from three different NCAA Division I universities participated. Only two athletes were classified with an eating disorder, though 33 (16.6%) and 164 (82.4%), respectively, were categorized as symptomatic and asymptomatic. Multivariate analyses revealed that eating disorder classification was unrelated to the majority of the risk factors, although the eating disorder group (i.e., clinical and symptomatic) did report greater fear of becoming fat, more weight pressures from TV and from magazines, and higher levels of stress than the asymptomatic athletes. In addition, the eating disorder group had higher scores on the Bulimia Test-Revised (Thelen, Mintz, & Vander Wal, 1996), which validated the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnosis (Mintz, O’Halloran, Mulholland, & Schneider, 1997) as a measure of eating disorders with male athletes. These findings suggest that variables that have been supported as risk factors among women in general, and female athletes in particular, may not apply as strongly, or at all, to male athletes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 504-510
Author(s):  
A. Khokhrina ◽  
D. Ivanov

The article is devoted to the analysis of the problem of eating disorders in adolescence among students. The main idea of the article is to consider the characteristics of self-attitude, self-esteem and the level of aspirations of boys and girls as a factor that determines the perception of their own appearance. In turn, the peculiarities of the perception of one’s own appearance, the peculiarities of building the image of one’s body, mediated by the influence of self-attitude, self-esteem and aspirations of students, can cause the appearance of eating disorders. The article analyzes the literature on the problem of psychological characteristics of attitudes towards oneself and one’s body, students’ perception of their own appearance, and gives the psychological characteristics of eating disorders in adolescence. The role of the media, relationships between others and family, character traits such as self-doubt, timidity, introversion, desire for order, keen perception of criticism, inadequacy of perception of one’s failures, low self-esteem and dissatisfaction with their own weight in the formation of eating disorders are shown. The description of the empirical research carried out is given. The analysis of the results of the peculiarities of self-perception in boys and girls with eating disorders, analysis of the relationship of eating disorders in boys and girls with peculiarities of self-perception, self-esteem and the level of aspirations is presented. It has been found that high levels of ambition and high self-esteem contribute to bulimia, or the desire for thinness.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Rodríguez-López ◽  
Erika Rodríguez-Ortíz ◽  
Borja Romero-Gonzalez

Background: Through the culture of thinness, increasingly promoted in our society as a beauty canon, it is not surprising that the number of people affected by eating disorders is increasing. Objective: This research aims to study the relationship between non-suicidal self-injuries and nuclear aspects of eating disorders specified along with this article. Methods: The sample consisted of 60 women diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia. Questionnaires assessing impulsivity, body satisfaction, alexithymia, body attitude and self-esteem were administered. Participants with non-suicidal self-harm were compared with those without, and participants with anorexia with and without self-harm and participants with bulimia with and without self-harm were compared. Results: Differences were found in body dissatisfaction = 5,71; p ≤ ,01), body attitudes = 4,80; p ≤ ,02), self-esteem = 14,09; p ≤ .00) and impulsivity (t = 3,39; p ≤ ,01) between participants with and without non-suicidal self-harm. Conclusions: These are key factors for the clinic in the treatment of eating disorders to prevent the presence of self-harm, as it allows focusing the treatment target on those aspects such as dissatisfaction and impulsivity, which are key in the development of self-harm.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document