Autonomous motivation: a predictor of treatment outcome in bulimia-spectrum eating disorders.
Individuals with eating disorders are said to be highly ambivalent towards change and thus have difficulty maintaining a commitment to, and motivation for, treatment. Self-Determination Theory postulates that autonomous motivation for therapy exists when individuals view their participation as freely chosen.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to ascertain whether or not autonomous motivation was associated with treatment response in individuals with bulimia-spectrum eating disorders (BSED).


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-five women with DSM-IV-TR BSED participated in multimodal group therapy and completed measures to assess motivation, eating and comorbid symptoms.


RESULTS
Hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that higher levels of autonomous motivation at pretreatment predicted lower post-treatment scores on measures of eating preoccupations (shape, weight and eating concerns), binge eating, anxiety/depression, relationship to self and others and impulsivity.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that autonomous motivation may be an important predictor of outcome following treatment for BSED.
Eating Disorders Program, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Quebec, Canada. sandra.mansour@mail.mcgill.ca
Sandra
S
Mansour
Kenneth R
KR
Bruce
Howard
H
Steiger
David C
DC
Zuroff
Sarah
S
Horowitz
Annelie S
AS
Anestin
Lindsay
L
Sycz
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome