title: Spirituality among young women at risk for eating disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the spiritual and religious (S/R) beliefs and practices of college-age women at high-risk for eating disorders, and the relationship between body image distress, coping, and S/R.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred fifty-five college-age women with elevated weight and shape concerns, assessed using the Weight/Shape Concerns Scale and the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), completed surveys about their S/R beliefs and practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with strong S/R beliefs and practices cope with body dissatisfaction differently than women without strong S/R beliefs. Participants with strong S/R were significantly more likely to pray, meditate, or read religious/spiritual texts to cope with body image distress. Participants without strong beliefs and practices were more likely to cope utilizing distraction. Women with strong beliefs who prayed found it effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study participants were heterogenenous in their S/R beliefs and practices. These beliefs and practices may be underutilized resources for coping with body image concerns.
authors.affiliation: SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, 6363 Alvarado Court, Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92120, USA. joyj@post.harvard.edu
authors.forename: M Joy
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jacobs-Pilipski
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Winzelberg
authors.forename: Denise E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Wilfley
authors.forename: Susan W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Bryson
authors.forename: C Barr
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012067:Religion; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D029181:Spirituality; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires