title: Core beliefs in anorexic and bulimic women.
abstract: There is research evidence to suggest the presence of dysfunctional cognitions in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa that are not related to food, weight, or shape. These maladaptive cognitions have not been addressed by the conventional cognitive behavioral models of etiology or therapy. This study aimed to assess the impact of unhealthy core beliefs on eating disorders and their symptoms. Twenty restricting anorexics, 10 bulimic anorexics, 27 bulimics, and 23 normal controls completed Young's Schema Questionnaire. Eating behaviors and attitudes were also measured. The results indicate that both anorexic and bulimic women had significantly higher levels of unhealthy core beliefs than comparison women, but the clinical groups only differed on one individual core belief (entitlement). However, there were different patterns of association between core beliefs and eating psychopathology in anorexic and bulimic women. It is suggested that future clinical practice should incorporate core beliefs as a potential element in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders.
authors.affiliation: Eating Disorders Service, Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001290:Attitude; D001835:Body Weight; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires