Colleagues (N now = 1206 in 48 countries),
Please (a) continue to send me any and all announcements (e.g., conferences, awards, webinars, prevention resources, your recent publications); and (b) pass along the following to anyone who would like to join this free email list.
Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support Eating Disorders Prevention.
FOLLOW-UP REQUEST FOR RESEARCH PARTICIPATION AND/OR ASSISTANCE WITH RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS
from [our own] Dr. Adriana Labarta and Dr. Paul Peluso, and our own Dr. Taylor Irvine at Florida Atlantic University (USA),
for a study they have entitled
Revisiting Eating Disorder Psychotherapy Competencies Using a Q-sort Methodology
Received via a 23 July 2024 email from our own Dr. Taylor Irvine (USA); see the Levine Newsletter of 6 June 2024 (NO. 33) for the initial request from our own Dr. Adriana Labarta, PhD, LMHC, NCC, ACS (USA).
ML NOTE 1: Drs. Labarta, Peluso, and Irvine, and I would appreciate it if you would (a) participate in this research, if eligible; and/or (b) pass this along to any and all people who might be eligible and/or clinicians, physicians, nurse practitioners, etc., who work with people who might be eligible.
ML NOTE 2: Of course, participation in this study is voluntary AND there is no coercion implied, AND there are at least 400 people subscribing to this Group who meet the criteria for participation. I’m just sayin’ . . . .
[Dr. Irvine writes:]
My colleagues and I are conducting a study to revise eating disorder psychotherapy competencies using a Q-sort method. Our target participants are professionals in the ED field, including clinicians, researchers, educators, supervisors, and advocates. [and thus]
We are excited to invite you to participate in an important research study aimed at revisiting and revising existing eating disorder psychotherapy competencies(Williams & Haverkamp, 2010)using a Q-sort method.
To participate in this survey, please see the minimum eligibility criteria below:
At least 18 years of age or older.
Have expertise in the treatment of eating disorders in one or more of the following areas: clinical practice, education/training, research, and/or advocacy.
By lending your expertise, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of eating disorder treatment. Your participation will not only contribute to the eating disorder literature but also has the potential to enhance clinician training and improve mental health services for diverse individuals with eating disorders.
The study involves completing a Qualtrics survey, which includes a brief demographic questionnaire and a series of items to be ranked based on their relevance to eating disorder treatment. The survey should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
To participate, please click on the following link: https://fau.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eII0jU3h5lU8m6W
Your participation in this study is completely voluntary, and you may refuse to answer any questions or stop your participation at any time. Rest assured that your information will be kept confidential, and no personally identifiable information will be collected!
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact the research team at alabarta2018@fau.edu. We are more than happy to provide you with any additional information you may need.
Thank you for considering this invitation and for your potential contribution to this important research!
Sincerely,
Dr. Adriana Labarta – Florida Atlantic University
Dr. Paul Peluso – Florida State University
Dr. Taylor J. Irvine (she/her), LMHC, NCC, ACS| Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling |Nova Southeastern University |ti48@nova.edu| (954) 262-5742
FOLLOW-UP REQUEST FOR RESEARCH PARTICIPATION AND/OR ASSISTANCE IN RECRUITING
from [our own] Dr. Jamie Chan, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Brighton (England),
for a study [which ML, paraphrasing, has] entitled
Researchers’ Perceived Understanding of White Supremacy in Body Image Research and Barriers to Adopting Anti-Racist Research Practices
Received 22 July 2024 (California time), via an everything-is-advocacy email from our own Dr. Jamie Chan (England); see the Levine Newsletter of 11 July 2024 (NO. 44) for the initial request.
ML NOTE 3: Ms. Gray, Mr. Frank, and Drs. Chan and Hurst and I would appreciate it if you would (a) participate in this study, if eligible; and/or (b) pass this along to any researchers who are eligible and might be interested and/or who work with people who might be eligible. A small recruiting image/flyer is available from Ms. Gray at Phoebe.Gray@sussex.ac.uk.
ML NOTE 4: Of course, participation in this study is voluntary and free of coercive influence. AND, there are at least 200 body image researchers in this Newsletter Group, and I suspect these researchers are in touch via email, social media, etc., with at least 200 more. I’m just sayin’ . . . .
[Dr. Chan writes:]
Hello body image/appearance and ED researchers!
We conducting a study on how body image researchers’ perceived understanding of white supremacy in body image research and what barriers they face in adopting anti-racist research practices. Given the influence of white supremacy in the field of body image (see Landor et al., 2023), we think it’s really important for us to understand potential barriers that researchers face in order to make appropriate and realistic suggestions for future change to better our field.
If you can spare 10 minutes to jot down some thought on this survey (rating and text input questions), we would be immensely grateful: https://universityofsussex.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4TTcdPrQ5vJDBQO.
We also just wanted to assure you that it is completely anonymous – so, responses are completely unidentifiable (and will not have any risks in terms of any implications from organisational/institutional power dynamics, etc.). You may also choose to include as much or as little demographic information as you feel comfortable doing.
Questions can be addressed to Phoebe Gray at Phoebe.Gray@sussex.ac.uk.
Phoebe Gray, Joshua Francis, Megan Hurst and Jamie Chan
Education and Support for Patients, Caregivers, and Professionals
[our own] Ms. Robyn Goldberg's (USA)
The Eating Disorder Trap Podcast -
Episode #165: Psychological Shifts During Perinatal and Postpartum Times, with Dr. Ivy Margulies (USA).
Retrieved from the website (https://theeatingdisordertrap.com/the-eating-disorder-trap-podcast/) of the The Eating Disorder Trap Podcast, created and moderated by our own Ms. Robyn Goldberg, RDN, CEDRD-S (USA).
Episode #165: Psychological Shifts During Perinatal and Postpartum Times, with Dr. Ivy Margulies (USA).
Listen (~22 min) at: https://theeatingdisordertrap.com/165-psychological-shifts-during-perinatal-and-postpartum-times-with-ivy-marguilies/
In This Episode
Dr. Ivy Love Margulies is a licensed clinical psychologist, hypnotherapist and death midwife who specializes in grief, loss, and trauma encompassing the entire spectrum of a woman’s reproductive and maternal mental health. She works with postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, birth trauma, NICU, preterm labor, miscarriage, infertility, pregnancy release, terminations for fetal anomaly (TFMR- Terminations for Medical Reasons), stillbirth, infant death, high risk pregnancy and pregnancy after loss.
Dr. Ivy hosts her podcast Shattered Conception, which covers an array of interviews about healing grief and trauma- before, during or after- pregnancy, infertility, or pregnancy losses of all kinds.
We discuss topics including:
Understanding grief and trauma
Men can have fertility issues too
The messages women pick up when going through fertility
The importance of scheduling an appointment in your life to have fun
Exploring with women ways to achieve pleasure
Research Publication Categories in This Newsletter
(i) Social Media (n = 2); (ii) Body Ideals and Body Image (n = 3); (iii) Epidemiology (n = 2); and (iv) June-July Treatment Interlude, Part 2 (n = 4)
CONGRATULATIONS to our own
Dr. Silvia Cerea (Italy) and colleagues for publication of the Social Media research article in #2.
Dr. Jessie Menzel (USA; Kenyon alum — Just sayin’ . . . .) and colleagues for publication of the Eating Disorders Treatment article in #8
Drs. Andrea Graham (USA) and Jennifer Wildes (USA) and colleague for publication of the Eating Disorders Treatment article in #10.
Social Media
ML NOTE 5: In regard to the review article below described in #1, and in particular the provocative first sentence of the Abstract, Dr. Christopher Ferguson has long been a critic, if not thorn in the side of, research purporting to how the “clear harmful effects” of media, including the Internet. While I don’t always agree with Dr. Ferguson’s conclusions (and his politics), I strongly believe his work is always worth reading because of its insistence on good methodology as the basis for solid evidence, cogent conclusions, and subsequent practical and ethical actions. You can request copies of published research at the website above and/or at cjfergus@stetson.edu.
See, for example, the following; b. was presented in the Levine Newsletter of 7 May 2024 (NO. 20), #4.
a. Ferguson, C. J. (2013). In the eye of the beholder: Thin-ideal media affects some, but not most, viewers in a meta-analytic review of body dissatisfaction in women and men. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 2(1), 20–37. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030766
b. Ferguson, C. J. (2024). Do social media experiments prove a link with mental health: A methodological and meta-analytic review. Psychology of Popular Media. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000541
1. Ferguson, C. J., Kaye, L. K., Branley-Bell, D., & Markey, P. (2024). There is no evidence that time spent on social media is correlated with adolescent mental health problems: Findings from a meta-analysis. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000589
Full text available for download at: https://www.christopherjferguson.com/Social%20Media%20Meta.pdf
ABSTRACT. The issue of whether social media use does or does not influence youth internalizing mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression) remains a pressing concern for policymakers, parents, and psychologists. Widespread claims suggest potentially harmful effects of social media use on youth. This was investigated in a meta-analysis of 46 studies of youth social media use and mental health.
Results indicated that the current pool of research is unable to support claims of harmful effects for social media use on youth internalizing disorders. Some types of methodological weaknesses, such as evident demand characteristics and lack of preregistration, remain common in this area. It is recommended that caution is issued when attributing mental health harm to social media use as the current evidence cannot support this.
Public Significance Statement: Policymakers, parents and health care professionals continue to worry whether social media use contributes to mental health problems among youth. The present study finds that the evidence for such beliefs is lacking, and social media use does not predict mental health problems in youth. It is not unreasonable for parents to ask questions about children’s social media use, however at present, parents may be misled by unsupportable rhetoric from policymakers and some professional guilds to believe that the evidence for harm is greater than it is. Policymakers and professional guilds need to adopt more cautious reporting standards when discussing social concerns for which evidence is weak.
2. Mancin, P., Ghisi, M., Spoto, A., & Cerea, S. (2024). The relation between body dysmorphic disorder symptoms and photo-based behaviors: Is body appreciation a protective factor? Body Image, 51. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101764
Email address for correspondence: paolo.mancin@phd.unipd.it
ABSTRACT. Body image and social media use seem to be significantly associated. In particular, photo-based behaviors (i.e., photo investment and manipulation) seemed to have a positive relation with negative body image dimensions. On the other hand, positive body image dimensions could demonstrate the role of moderators. However, current available studies did not support these findings consistently. Moreover, available studies did not assess Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) symptoms.
To address these issues, the associations between BDD/MD symptoms and photo-based behaviors and the possible moderation of body appreciation were examined in a sample of 485 social media users (71.1% women).
Findings from hierarchical multiple regressions highlighted that BDD symptoms were significantly associated with photo investment and manipulation, and MD symptoms were significantly associated with photo investment only. Body appreciation demonstrated a moderating role in the relation involving photo investment and BDD symptoms. Current findings supported that photo-based behaviors are significantly associated with negative body image dimensions, while positive body image demonstrated only a marginal protective role.
Body Ideals and Body Image
3. Quittkat, H. L., Voges, M. M., Düsing, R., Schöne, B., & Vocks, S. (2024). Like mother, like daughter? Double standards in body evaluation and their familial transmission in female adolescents and their mothers. Cognitive Therapy and Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-024-10507-8
Full text available for download at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10608-024-10507-8#citeas
ABSTRACT. Background: Cognitive biases, such as applying stricter body evaluation for oneself than for others, are presumed to promote the development and maintenance of eating disorders. While questionnaire data have demonstrated a familial transmission of body image, these self-deprecating double standards (DS) have not been studied among female adolescents, and a potential familial transmission of DS through feedback/role-modeling is yet to be explored. The present study thus addresses these questions.
Methods: Female adolescents and their mothers viewed pictures of their own and peer bodies presented with their own and another peer’s face, and were asked to rate arousal, valence, body attractiveness, and body fat for each body.
Results: Daughters evaluated their own, an average-weight, and an overweight build as less attractive and with more body fat when presented with their own than with another face, while mothers mainly applied such self-deprecating DS for an overweight build. Regarding familial transmission, higher negative maternal feedback was associated with more self-deprecating DS of body fat and attractiveness in daughters when viewing an overweight build.
Conclusions: Female adolescents and their mothers apply self-deprecating DS, suggesting that DS are widespread. Psychoeducation and training regarding communication, feedback, and body functionality might support the prevention of DS.
4. Enriquez, A., Paik, S.-H. W., & Moon, Y. E. (2024). The impact of cosmetic and beauty campaigns on women’s mentality. Australasian Marketing Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/14413582241263156
Email address for correspondence: sunghee.paik@csusb.edu
ABSTRACT. The main objective of this research is to explore how modern beauty and cosmetic marketing campaigns and advertisem*nts affect women’s health, emotionally and mentally. In three studies, participants were shown an assortment of ads related to cosmetics and beauty ideals that focus on cosmetics and beauty. Ads were categorized as “positive beauty/real beauty” or “guilt-inducing/pressurized beauty ideals” to show underlying issues that women face after repeatedly coming into contact with advertisem*nts concerning beauty ideals.
Studies 1A and 1B were distributed to college-aged, cis-gendered females (i.e. 18–25 years) in the U.S. concerning their evaluation, attitudes, and emotions toward two types of ads and showed that the positive (vs. negative) effect of real beauty ads (vs. guilt-inducing ads) on confidence (vs. feeling of insecurity) is stronger for ads featuring the body compared to the face.
In Study 2, we replicated the findings and showed that confidence and the feeling of insecurity mediate individuals’ attitudes toward these ads. Our findings contribute to the understanding of women’s mentality living alongside pressurized beauty ideals and how beauty/cosmetic brands can take back the narrative of what real women look like.
5. Chazelle, T., Guerraz, M., & Palluel-Germain, R. (2024). Modeling body size information within weight labels using probability distributions. Psychological Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-024-02006-y
Full text available for download at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00426-024-02006-y
ABSTRACT. What images of bodies do we associate with thinness and fatness? Can our representations of weight-related words be described by simple probability distributions? To answer these questions, the present study examined participants’ perceptions of a set of weight-related words using a pictural scale. 259 French women indicated the thinnest, fattest, and best-fitting figures for 13 words. We then used their responses to construct PERT probability distributions, simple skewed distributions allowing to visualize what body sizes were associated with each word. In particular, the variability of the distributions showed how different weight labels can have more or less precise meanings.
We found some evidence that the lowest body mass index associated with a label shifted towards thinner figures as body dissatisfaction increased. Using the same method, we investigated the boundaries of what participants consider the ideal body, and showed that the inclusion of their own body in these boundaries predicted their levels of body dissatisfaction. We argue that PERT distributions can be a useful, easy-to-use tool in body image research for modeling the representations of weight labels in different populations.
Epidemiology
6. Mishina, K., Kronström, K., Heinonen, E., & Sourander, A. (2024). Body dissatisfaction and dieting among Finnish adolescents: A 20-year population-based time-trend study. European Child + Adolescent Psychiatry, 33(8), 2605-2614. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02327-0
Full text available for download at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00787-023-02327-0
ABSTRACT. Body image has an important role in the health and development of adolescents. Body dissatisfaction and dieting can become chronic and continue into adulthood. There is a lack of recent, comprehensive studies on ongoing trends on body dissatisfaction.
This study assessed time-trend changes in self-reported body dissatisfaction and dieting among Finnish adolescents at four assessment points. Representative samples of adolescents (N = 6660) aged 13–16 years participated in school-based, cross-sectional studies in 1998 (N = 1458), 2008 (N = 2044), 2014 (N = 1809), and 2018 (N = 1349), respectively. The studies were similar in design, methodology, and geographical recruitment areas. Body dissatisfaction and dieting were assessed with a questionnaire including items derived from the DSM-IV criteria for anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
From 1998 to 2018, dieting and fears related to gaining weight decreased among females. Body dissatisfaction reduced among females, and their wishes to become thinner became less prevalent. Consuming large amounts of food at one time consistently decreased among females and males and there were no changes in the rates of willful vomiting. The number of females in the 90th percentilewith the most severe symptoms decreased.
The results indicate that body dissatisfaction and disturbed dieting improved among females during the 20-year study. Despite these positive developments, the overall level of symptoms among females remained substantial, indicating that females have much higher levels of body dissatisfaction and dieting than males.
7. Ahmed, H. A. A., Yousef, A., Mohamed, S. T., Yousef, S. T., Elbeih, A. M. E., Tolba, A. M., & Shiba, H. A. A. (2024). Egyptian youth and eating disorders: a cross-sectional study on prevalence and contributing factors. Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 60, 88. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-024-00856-2
Full text available for download at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41983-024-00856-2#citeas
ABSTRACT. Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are complex mental health conditions with significant implications for the physical and psychological well-being of youth. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of eating disorders among a sample of Egyptian youth and explore the association between anxiety, social support, and sociodemographic characteristics with eating disorder behaviors.
Results: The findings revealed a significant prevalence of eating disorders among the youth participants, with 13.3% meeting the diagnostic criteria. Bulimia Nervosa was the most commonly diagnosed eating disorder, affecting 8.4% of the participants, followed by 1.4% experiencing Binge Eating Disorder. No cases of Anorexia Nervosa were reported. There were no statistically significant sex differences in the prevalence of different types of eating disorders. Higher body mass index (BMI) values and greater anxiety levels were associated with an increased likelihood of having an eating disorder.
Conclusions: This study highlights a significant prevalence of eating disorders among Egyptian youth, with Bulimia Nervosa being the most common type. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions and support systems to address the mental health challenges faced by Egyptian youth and promote healthy relationships with food and body image.
June - July 2024 Treatment Interlude, Part 2 of Many
8. Silverstein, S., Hellner, M., & Menzel, J. (2024). Development of a gender-affirming care protocol in eating disorder treatment settings. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2024.2371250
Full text available, perhaps for a limited time, at: https://tinyurl.com/yf68wxzc
Email address for correspondence: silvea3@alumni.sage.edu
ABSTRACT. Transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) individuals suffer from eating disorders (EDs) at disproportionate rates relative to their gender-conforming counterparts. While literature on EDs in TGE populations is growing and evolving, best practice guidelines are scant. A framework for providing gender-affirming care (GAC) in an ED treatment setting was developed by integrating findings from a focused literature review and insights from leading experts. Following synchronous and asynchronous training, the protocol was implemented in a virtual ED treatment setting with a national reach serving patients ages 6–24 years.
This paper offers a summary of best practices and approaches for providing GAC in ED treatment settings. The use of GAC practices has the potential to address underlying issues and inequities in treatment delivery and outcomes. We encourage ED treatment providers to consider the adoption/adaptation of GAC best practices to more effectively meet the needs of TGE patients. More research is needed to better understand the influence of individual and collective GAC practices on specific ED treatment outcomes.
9. Hicks, A. A., & Levy, C. C. (2024). Cultivating systemic resilience of Black adolescents with disordered eating. In C. Eppler (Ed.), Targeting belief systems as a mechanism for change. Routledge.
Email address for correspondence: hicks.266@osu.edu
ABSTRACT. Despite experiencing disordered eating and eating disorders symptoms at similar rates to other races and ethnicities, Black adolescents are much less likely to be diagnosed or to receive treatment for these clinical concerns. Anti-Blackness—specifically, White supremacy—adultification, and fat phobia contribute to a decreased recognition of disordered eating, delaying treatment initiation and impairing the quality of care provided to Black adolescents.
This chapter combines knowledge of Black adolescents’ resilience with evidence-based eating disorders treatment. It explores using a family resilience framework and integrating how meaning-making, belief systems, and cultural responsiveness can support Black adolescents struggling with disordered eating. An application of this approach and examples of clinical interventions are discussed.
10. Graham, A. K., Azubuike, C., Johnson, L., Parsons, L. M., Lipman, L. D., Rooper, I. R., Ortega, A., Kruger Camino, M., Miller, G., Jia, J., & Wildes, J. E. (2024). Partnering with food pantries to disseminate and implement eating disorder interventions. International Journal of Eating Disorders. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24240
Full text available for download at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/eat.24240
ABSTRACT. Objective: Food insecurity is associated with eating disorder psychopathology. This Spotlight describes why food pantries could be promising partners for disseminating and implementing eating disorder interventions. Method: Researchers are increasingly collaborating with community-based organizations to improve access to health interventions, because community-based organizations overcome structural barriers to traditional healthcare by being embedded physically in the communities they serve, convenient to visit, regularly frequented, and led by trusted community members.
Results: We describe strategies we have identified with our partner to disseminate and implement our digital intervention for binge eating; we also discuss ways we support the pantry's needs to improve the mutuality of the partnership.
Discussion: The potential benefits of partnerships with food pantries make this an area to explore further. Future research directions include deeply engaging with food pantries to determine how pantries benefit from disseminating and implementing eating disorder interventions and how to intervene in non-stigmatizing ways, what resources they need to sustainably support these efforts, what eating disorder intervention modalities guests are willing and able to engage with, what intervention adaptations are needed so individuals with food insecurity can meaningfully engage in eating disorder intervention, and what implementation strategies facilitate uptake to intervention sustainably over time.
11. O'Connor, E., Garceau, C., Polhill, S., & Tasca, G. A. (2024). Evidence-based group therapy for eating disorders. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/gdn0000221
Email address for correspondence: gtasca@uottawa.ca
ABSTRACT. Objective: The goal was to identify evidence-based group psychotherapy for adults with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge-eating disorder (BED). Method: We reviewed randomized controlled trials of group psychotherapy for clinical samples of adults diagnosed with AN, BN, and BED published between January 1980 and July 2023. Studies that indicated evidence-based treatments were those that compared a bona fide group therapy to a no-treatment control condition and that had a minimum sample size of 30 participants per condition.
Results: Four randomized controlled trials examining the efficacy of group psychotherapy for adults with BED met our inclusion criteria. Those studies supported cognitive behavioral group therapy and group psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy as evidence-based group treatments of BED. No studies on the efficacy of group psychotherapy for adults with AN or BN met our criteria. Few studies adequately reported sample characteristics related to diversity, and those that did sample predominantly White participants. Most group treatment studies had methodological issues, such as small sample sizes that increased the risk of bias and reduced replicability.
Conclusions: High-quality evidence supports the efficacy of cognitive behavioral group therapy and group psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy for the treatment of BED, and treatment guidelines for BED should reflect these findings. Researchers should pay particular attention to equity, diversity, and inclusion when conducting and reporting future studies. Overall, there are few high-quality studies on the efficacy of group psychotherapy for eating disorders, particularly AN and BN.
Impact Statement: Reliable research supports cognitive behavioral group therapy and group psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy for binge-eating disorder in adults as evidence-based. No studies on the efficacy of group psychotherapy for adults with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. There is limited high-quality research on the efficacy of group psychotherapy for eating disorders.
Guidelines for the treatment of binge-eating disorder should include cognitive behavioral group therapy and group psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy. Eating disorder researchers must conduct high-quality group treatment studies with adequate statistical power (i.e., larger sample sizes) and must embrace the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
