The effect of imagery rescripting on core beliefs and eating disorder symptoms in a subclinical population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study compared the effect of imagery rescripting focusing on self-compassion, imagery rescripting focusing on mastery, and a positive memory control condition on (1) emotional responses towards the memory (one day after), (2) changes in the believability of negative core beliefs, and dysfunctional eating behaviors (one week after) in individual at risk for developing an eating disorder. METHODS: Female participants (N = 69) were allocated to one of three conditions: ImRs focusing on self-compassion (N = 24), ImRs focusing on self-mastery (N = 23), and positive memory control condition (N = 22). Participants in the ImRs conditions received a 20-min self-guided ImRs intervention, whereas participants in the control condition received a 20-min self-guided task focusing on an unrelated positive memory. RESULTS: The experimental manipulation successfully induced the use of self-compassion and mastery strategies in the respective imagery rescripting condition. However, our data show that a single 20-min session of self-guided imagery rescripting focusing on compassion and/or mastery has no effect on the emotional response towards the aversive memory or in the change of core beliefs and eating behaviors at follow up. LIMITATIONS: We discuss potential reasons for the null findings, including the use of a single imagery rescripting session, the sample size and the measurement of manipulation checks. CONCLUSION: Future studies are needed to rule out methodological explanations for the null results. These findings may be of value for the development of future experimental lab paradigms which aim to evaluate the causal effects and working mechanisms of imagery rescripting.

Characteristics and content of intrusive images in patients with eating disorders.

The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics and content of intrusive images in patients with different subtypes of eating disorders (EDs). Data were collected from 74 ED patients, 22 dieting, and 29 nondieting controls. Participants completed a set of self-report questionnaires. Intrusive images of ED patients were significantly more repetitive, detailed, vivid, and distressing than intrusive images of dieting and/or nondieting controls. Most of the intrusive images were the same for the ED subtypes; however, patients with anorexia nervosa were more likely to report an observer vantage perspective than patients with bulimia nervosa, who were more likely to report a field vantage perspective. As expected, intrusive images' content was related to body checking (weight and shape) or negative self (evaluated by themselves or others). Finally, there were significant associations between intrusive images' vividness and weight and shape concerns. These findings indicate that intrusive images may be a core element of EDs and targeting intrusive images in therapy may be helpful.