A randomized trial of a dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program.
OBJECTIVE
As psychoeducational eating disorder prevention programs have not been shown to reduce bulimic pathology, we developed and evaluated a dissonance-based intervention for high-risk populations.


METHODS
Young women (N = 87) with body image concerns were randomized to this intervention, which involves verbal, written, and behavioral exercises requiring them to critique the thin-ideal, or to a healthy weight management control group. Participants completed a baseline, termination, and 4-week follow-up survey.


RESULTS
Participants in the dissonance intervention reported decreased thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, dieting, negative affect, and bulimic symptoms at termination and at 4-week follow-up. Unexpectedly, participants in the healthy weight management control group also reported some benefits.


CONCLUSIONS
Taken in conjunction with past findings, these preliminary results suggest that the dissonance intervention, and to a lesser extent the healthy weight management intervention, may reduce bulimic pathology and risk factors for eating disturbances.
Department of Psychology, 330 Mezes Hall, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA. stice@psy.utexas.edu
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Stormer
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D003073:Cognitive Dissonance; D004041:Dietary Fats; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D012649:Self Concept; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004041:Dietary Fats