ABSTRACT
The reduced specificity of positive and negative autobiographical memories observed in anorexic (AN) patients may reflect a global disturbance in their emotional information processing. However, their emotional difficulties may differ according to the subtype of AN, implying possible differences in the manifestation of autobiographical memory impairments. The aims of the study were (1) to confirm the autobiographical memory deficits in AN patients in terms of specificity and wealth of memories, and (2) to compare autobiographical deficits according to the AN subtype: restrictive type (AR) or binge/purging type (AB). Ninety-five non-clinical (NC) individuals and 95 AN patients including 69 AR and 22 AB patients were administered the Williams' and Scott's Autobiographical Memory Test. The results confirmed a lack of specificity regardless of emotional valence in the overall AN patient group without any distinction of subtype, which was linked to the number of hospitalizations. When the AN subtype was considered, AR patients demonstrated reduced specificity for negative memories only, suggesting differences in emotional functioning or in the mechanisms underlying reduced specificity between AR and AB patients. Furthermore, the overall AN group demonstrated lower variability and complexity in their memory content than the NC group. However, this difference in the complexity of recalled memories was only found in response to negative cues. When AN subtypes were considered, AR patients showed fewer complex memories than NC individuals. Beyond a reduced specificity, AN patients also depict a poverty in the range of event recall and a difficulty in developing narrative content. The clinical implications of such autobiographical memory deficits need to be further investigated.
Subject(s)
Anorexia/psychology , Emotions , Memory, Episodic , Mental Recall/physiology , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Young AdultABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Preservation of Quality of Life (QOL) is now a major determinant of obesity management, but little is known about variables predicting QOL. Identifying these predicting variables of QOL would provide further understanding of the QOL concept and help draw clinical implications. The Self-determination Theory (SDT) is a promising understanding perspective of the QOL. RECENT FINDINGS: The SDT postulates that well-being and motivation are determined by the satisfaction of three needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Many researches have confirmed the relationships between these SDT's needs and well-being, but this theory has little been applied to the problem of QOL in obese children and adolescents. Literature results and theoretical implications of the SDT in understanding of QOL in youth obesity are discussed. New clinical applications could be drawn: in children with obesity, interventions promoting high satisfaction of the SDT's needs could improve their QOL and help them break the vicious circles of overweight.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Child Behavior , Models, Psychological , Pediatric Obesity/psychology , Personal Autonomy , Quality of Life , Weight Gain , Adolescent , Age Factors , Child , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Mental Competency , Pediatric Obesity/diagnosis , Pediatric Obesity/physiopathology , Pediatric Obesity/therapy , Personal Satisfaction , Risk Factors , Social BehaviorABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to present a literature review on quality-of-life (QOL) assessment in overweight or obese children and adolescents in order to identify the most affected dimensions and better understand associated factors. METHODS: The ERIC, FRANCIS, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, and Academic Search Premier databases were searched for articles reporting cross-sectional QOL studies in obese children and adolescents published in English before January 2013. The reference lists of retained articles were also screened. RESULTS: Among the 34 articles retained for the analysis, only three did not report lower QOL among obese youth. Clinical populations appeared to be more affected than the general population. Several variables were associated with QOL such as self-image, bullying, bodily pain, quality of food intake, physical activity, screen time, parents' educational level, and weight status. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying variables associated with lower QOL in obese children and adolescents offers new perspectives for prevention and care. Further research is needed to better elucidate these findings. Better understanding QOL is a key element essential for the treatment for childhood and adolescent obesity.
