title: Social rank and symptom change in eating disorders: a 6-month longitudinal study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Following previous cross-sectional research adopting an evolutionary approach to social rank and eating disorders, the present study explored the predictive value of social rank for changes in eating disorder symptoms in a 6-month longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-three women and men with a history of eating disorders were followed up over 6 months. A broad range of measures of social rank were used to determine whether social rank at baseline predicted residual changes in eating disorder symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low social rank (in terms of perceived external entrapment and submissive behaviour) predicted an increase in symptoms of anorexia but not symptoms of bulimia. The predictive value of low social rank was not mediated by changes in depressive symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perceived low rank predicts an increase in anorexic symptoms. However, further research is required to determine the precise nature of how social rank exerts its influence on the development of eating disorder symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-perceived low social rank predicts an increase in anorexic symptoms but not bulimic symptoms. The effect of low social rank on changes in anorexic symptoms was not mediated by changes in depressive symptoms. Interventions for anorexia nervosa may need to incorporate techniques for increasing status and/or self-compassion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, Herts, UK.
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Troop
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Syd
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hiskey
authors.forename: Janet L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Treasure
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006608:Hierarchy, Social; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Anorexia; Bulimia; Involuntary Subordination; Social Rank