Distorted Body Image and Mental Pain in Anorexia Nervosa

Bibliographic Data

ID15515329
AuthorsNatalia Ciwoniuk (Institute of Psychology), Magdalena Wayda‐Zalewska (0000-0003-1254-4446, Institute of Psychology, corresponding author), Katarzyna Kucharska (0000-0002-6130-0520, Institute of Psychology)
Year2022
Volume20
Issue1
Pages718-718
Publication date2022-12-30
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph20010718
PMID36613039
OpenAlexW4313472563
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited35

(1) Background: Body image is being defined as the picture of our own body in our mind with its size and shape, and with a perceptive and attitudinal evaluation of this body. It appears to be a complex clinical construct predisposing an individual to developing and maintaining anorexia nervosa (AN), as well as having considerable impact on prolonging the duration of this illness and its relapse risk. The aim of the research work was to assess whether the symptomatology of eating disorders, level of depression, and mental pain are associated with body image, and examine the influence of a distorted body image as well as eating disorders and depression symptoms on mental pain in AN; (2) Methods: A total of 36 women diagnosed with AN and 69 healthy controls (HC) participated in this study. All participants completed a battery of the following scales: EAT-26, BSQ-34, BIDQ, BDD-YBOCS, CESDR, and the Mental Pain Scale; (3) Results: Results show statistically significantly greater body image disturbances and higher level of depression and mental pain intensity in the AN compared to the HC group. Regression analysis indicates a greater impact of distorted body image, eating disorders, and depression symptoms on mental pain in AN; (4) Conclusions: As assumed, distorted body image and mental pain are central components of AN that should be especially emphasized in the therapeutical process of treating AN. Future research should focus on the etiopathogenesis of distorted body image in relation to the chronicity of mental pain and depression in AN, and address these outcomes in clinical practice to minimize suicide risk in this high-risk group of patients

Anorexia · Anorexia nervosa · Anxiety · Bulimia nervosa · Cognition · Depression (economics · Eating disorders · Mental image · Psychiatry · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Clinical Psychology · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders · Psychology · Internal Medicine

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