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.
Stice
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E
Department of Psychology, 330 Mezes Hall, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA. stice@psy.utexas.edu
Chase
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A
Stormer
S
S
Appel
A
A
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