Attention and disordered eating behavior: II. Disattention to turbulent inner sensations as a risk factor in the development of anorexia nervosa.
The Slade model for development of anorexia nervosa proposes that the female may seek success and control in her life by pursuing a thin body through dieting when faced with serious personal problems. Extending upon this model, the present program of research has sought to identify those characteristics of women generally at-risk for anorexia nervosa that would make dieting behavior especially successful, permitting the progression from food restraint into food aversion. The present studies considered whether heightened and stress-related inner stimulation could interfere with the at-risk woman's sensitivity to hunger sensations, thereby decreasing her motivation to eat. A series of analyses conducted within two studies indicated: (1) a relationship between elevated daily stress, concern over being over-whelmed by inner feelings, and a loss of discrimination regarding sources of inner feelings, (2) a tendency to narrow attentional focus when overloaded with excessive internal stimulation, and (3) diminished sensitivity to hunger sensations for women generally at-risk for anorexia nervosa given a narrowed attentional focus.
Heilbrun
A B
AB
Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Worobow
A L
AL
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology*; D001143:Arousal; D001288:Attention; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D007389:Internal-External Control; D010555:Personality Inventory