Reflective functioning in 70 patients suffering from bulimia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
This study is the first to evaluate the reflective functioning abilities of patients suffering from bulimia nervosa (BN).


METHODS
Seventy patients fulfilling Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for BN were interviewed with the Adult Attachment Interview, which was subsequently coded for reflective functioning (RF).


RESULTS
On average, the sample of patients suffering from BN had close to normal mentalizing abilities. However, the distribution of RF scores was significantly different from the distribution of RF in a non-clinical control group, showing a more polarized pattern with more low and high RF scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The study indicates that the theory of mentalization may contribute to understanding BN. However, bulimic pathology may develop and be maintained despite good mentalizing abilities.
Department of Psychology, The University Clinic, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. signe.holm@psy.ku.dk
Signe Holm
SH
Pedersen
Susanne
S
Lunn
Hannah
H
Katznelson
Stig
S
Poulsen
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011583:Psychological Warfare; D056345:Theory of Mind; D055815:Young Adult