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Published December 19, 2019 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Body-related cognitive distortions (thought–shape fusion body) associated with thin-ideal exposure in female students—An ecological momentary assessment study

  • 1. University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
  • 2. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
  • 3. Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austriartment of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
  • 4. Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
  • 5. Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland

Description

Etiological models of eating disorders (EDs) describe body dissatisfaction (BD)as one
of the major influences fostering dysfunctional body-related behaviour and disordered
eating behaviour. BD is influenced by repeated exposure to thin ideals that
evoke high self-ideal discrepancy and result in body-related cognitive distortions
such as thought–shape fusion body (TSF-B). The aim of this study was to investigate
the covariation of daily media exposure and the experience of TSF-B in a naturalistic
setting. It was further analysed whether TSF-B is associated with self-ideal discrepancy,
dysfunctional body-related behaviour, and disordered eating behaviour. Moreover,
person-related predictors of TSF-B were explored. Altogether, 51healthy
female students (mean age 21.06years, SD = 1.76) participated in an ecological
momentary assessment study with four daily surveys during 10consecutive days.
Exposure with thin ideals in contrast to exposure to unspecific media contents went
along with the experience of TSF-B. TSF-B was associated with higher self-ideal
discrepancy and dysfunctional body-related behaviour as well as more pronounced
disordered eating behaviour, suggesting that TSF-B is a common phenomenon in
young healthy females' everyday life. A main effect of trait measures (e.g., pre-existing
BD) on TSF-B was observable but has no moderating effect. Thus, a specific vulnerability
has not been detected.

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