El modelo de elaboración del sentido en personas con trastornos alimentarios (MESTA): un análisis preliminar del modelo / The meaning making model of eating disorders (MESTA): a preliminary analysis of the model

Según estudios previos el sentido en la vida está asociado negativamente con la psicopatología, el riesgo de suicido y la inestabilidad emocional en personas con trastornos alimentarios (TA). El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el papel mediador del sentido de la vida y sus dimensiones en la relación entre la insatisfacción corporal y la sintomatología del TA y aportar pruebas que apoyen un modelo de elaboración del sentido de los trastornos alimentarios (MESTA). 292 personas diagnosticadas con TA (93,5% mujeres) contestaron el "Test de propósito en la vida" (PIL), el "Test de actitudes hacia la comida" (EAT) y el "Cuestionario multidimensional de relaciones entre el cuerpo y el yo" (MBSRQAS). Se realizaron análisis de mediación múltiple. El sentido en la vida medió la asociación entre la insatisfacción corporal y la psicopatología del TA. La dimensión de Satisfacción y sentido tuvo un papel mediador mayor. El sentido en la vida podría ser una variable importante en el mantenimiento de los TA. El MESTA puede ser un modelo útil para la comprensión de la psicopatología de los TA

Studies of people with eating disorders (ED) have indicated that meaning in life is negatively associated with psychopathology, suicide risk, and emotional instability in people with ED. The aim of this study was to analyze the mediating role of meaning in life and its dimensions in the relationship between body dissatisfaction and the symptoms of ED, and to provide evidence that supports the meaning making model of eating disorders (MESTA, in Spanish). 292 Participants diagnosed with ED completed the Purpose in Life Test (PIL), the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ-AS). Multiple mediation analyses were performed. Meaning in life was a mediator between body dissatisfaction and ED psychopathology. The dimension of Satisfaction and meaning in life had a greater mediating role. Meaning in life could be an important variable in the maintenance of ED. The MESTA could be a useful model for understanding the psychopathology of ED

Non-suicidal self-injury in patients with eating disorders: prevalence, forms, functions, and body image correlates.

INTRODUCTION: More than one third of patients with eating disorders report NSSI. Moreover, negative attitudes and feelings toward the body, body dissatisfaction, and body image disturbances have been linked to NSSI in community and clinical samples. However, there is a lack of studies exploring NSSI frequency and functions and the specific relationship between multidimensional body image dimensions and NSSI in eating disorder patients. OBJECTIVES: First, we explored the frequency, types, and functions of NSSI in a sample of 226 Spanish female participants with eating disorders (ED). Second, we explored differences in NSSI and body image depending on the ED restrictive-purgative subtype; and third, we explored differences in body dissatisfaction, body image orientation, and body investment in eating disorder patients without NSSI (n = 144), with NSSI in their lifetime (n = 19), and (b) with NSSI in the previous year (n = 63). RESULTS: Of the overall sample, 37.1% (n = 89) had a history of self-injury during their lifetime, and 27.1% (n = 65) had self-injured in the previous year. Among the types of ongoing NSSI, the most frequent were banging (64.6%) and cutting (56.9%). Restrictive vs purgative patients differed on NSSI lifetime, Appearance Evaluation, Body Areas Satisfaction, Body Protection and Feelings and Attitudes toward the Body. Moreover, significant differences were found on Appearance Evaluation, Body Areas Satisfaction, Positive Feelings and Attitudes towards the Body, Body Protection, and Comfort with physical contact, between participants without a history of self-injury and both NSSI groups. DISCUSSION: Body dissatisfaction and body investment have been found to be variables related to NSSI. Thus, the present study highlights the importance of working on body image in ED patients to reduce the frequency of NSSI.