title: Effectiveness of peer-led dissonance-based eating disorder prevention groups: results from two randomized pilot trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present preliminary trials tested whether undergraduate peer leaders can effectively deliver a dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program, which could facilitate broad dissemination of this efficacious intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  In Study 1, female undergraduates (N=171) were randomized to peer-led groups, clinician-led groups, or an educational brochure control condition. In Study 2, which improved a design limitation of Study 1 by using completely parallel outcome measures across conditions, female undergraduates (N=148) were randomized to either immediate peer-led groups or a waitlist control condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Study 1, participants in peer- and clinician-led groups showed significantly greater pre-post reductions in risk factors and eating disorder symptoms than controls (M d=.64 and .98 respectively), though clinician- versus peer-led groups had higher attendance and competence ratings, and produced stronger effects at posttest (M d=.32) and at 1-year follow-up (M d=.26). In Study 2, participants in peer-led groups showed greater pre-post reductions in all outcomes than waitlist controls (M d=.75).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results provide novel evidence that dissonance-based eating disorder prevention groups led by undergraduate peers are feasible and produce greater reductions in eating disorder risk factors and symptoms than minimal-intervention control conditions, but indicate that effects are smaller for peer- versus clinician-led groups.
authors: Oregon Research Institute, USA. stice@psy.utexas.edu
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Stice
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Rohde
authors: Shelley
authors: S
authors: Durant
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: Shaw
authors: Emily
authors: E
authors: Wade
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003073:Cognitive Dissonance; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult