Category: Eating Disorders
Margaret Sala, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology
Riverside, Connecticut
Corey Roos, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, Connecticut
Hedy Kober, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
Margaret Sala, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology
Riverside, Connecticut
Brenna Williams, M.S.
Doctoral student
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Irina Vanzhula, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland
Corey Roos, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, Connecticut
Mindfulness- and acceptance-based treatments (MABTs) have shown efficacy across a wide range of psychopathology, and may also be promising for treating eating disorders (EDs). Notably, MABTs may also be beneficial for individuals with “complex” forms of psychopathology marked by comorbidity and/or severity of symptoms. Therefore, MABTs may be particularly helpful for individuals with EDs, who often present with severe psychopathology and co-occurring disorders. Additionally, MABTs address deficits in emotion regulation and mindfulness, and research has shown that both of these constructs play an important role in maintaining EDs. Finally, MABTs, are particularly effective at preventing relapse, and relapse remains a critical problem in individuals with EDs. In this symposium, we present new research evaluating MABTs for individuals with EDs. Finally, we discuss how our findings can inform the refinement of MABTs and their delivery in clinical practice. Each presenter will discuss implications for treatments, as well as directions for future research.
First, Margaret Sala will present data on a digital mindfulness-based intervention for anorexia nervosa (AN) called Mindful Courage-Beta. Findings suggest that this intervention appears to be promising, showing excellent adherence, large significant improvements in the target mechanisms of trait mindfulness and emotion regulation, as well as significant, medium-to-large reductions in eating disorder symptoms and body dissatisfaction.
Second, Brenna Williams will present data from a study in which individuals with a current ED diagnosis completed a virtual eight-week mindful self-compassion group workshop. Findings support the use of mindful self-compassion interventions to increase self-compassion and mindfulness, as well as decrease self-criticism and ED symptoms among individuals with an ED diagnosis.
Third, Irina Vanzhula will present data from an experimental study where participants were randomly assigned to participate in one of four brief audio-practices: mindful breathing, mindful eating, mixed mindfulness (a combination of mindful breathing and mindful eating), and control (neutral recording about produce transportation). Findings support the inclusion of both mindful eating and mindful breathing practice into MABTs for the treatment of compensatory behaviors.
Fourth, Corey Roos will present data on a study harnessing ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine the interactive effects of momentary mindfulness and affect in the prediction of momentary ED behaviors among individuals with AN. Results suggest that momentary mindfulness may attenuate the link between negative affect and ED behaviors, as well as potentiate the beneficial effect of positive affect in reducing ED behaviors.
Finally, Dr. Hedy Kober will provide an integrated discussion on all five presentations, including implications for treatment and directions for future research.
Presenter: Margaret Sala, Ph.D. – Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology
Co-author: Cheri Levinson, Ph.D. – University of Louisville
Co-author: Hedy Kober, Ph.D. – Yale University
Co-author: Corey R. Roos, Ph.D. – Yale University School of Medicine
Presenter: Brenna Williams, M.S. – University of Louisville
Co-author: Cheri Levinson, Ph.D. – University of Louisville
Presenter: Irina Vanzhula, Ph.D. – Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Co-author: Irina Vanzhula, Ph.D. – Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Co-author: Cheri Levinson, Ph.D. – University of Louisville
Presenter: Corey R. Roos, Ph.D. – Yale University School of Medicine
Co-author: Margaret Sala, Ph.D. – Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology
Co-author: Cheri Levinson, Ph.D. – University of Louisville
Co-author: Hedy Kober, Ph.D. – Yale University