Core beliefs and social anxiety in the eating disorders.
Social anxiety is a common comorbid problem in the eating disorders. The present study investigated whether specific types of core beliefs are common in eating-disordered individuals presenting with high levels of social anxiety. The participants were a group of 191 women meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV) criteria for an eating disorder. Young's Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-S) was used as a measure of core beliefs, while a brief version of the Fear of Negative Evaluation scale (Brief FNE) was used as a measure of social anxiety. The results showed that eating-disordered individuals with high levels of comorbid social anxiety report higher levels of socially-oriented core beliefs (abandonment; defectiveness/shame) than those who experience low levels of social anxiety. The findings highlight the potential importance of addressing core beliefs in specific groups of eating-disordered individuals. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
Hinrichsen
H
H
Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK. hendrik.hinrichsen@gmx.net
Waller
G
G
Dhokia
R
R
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept