Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Philosophy (Ph.D)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Andrea Bergman

Second Advisor

Robin Wellington

Third Advisor

Ernest Hodges

Abstract

Eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN), often begin in adolescence and can be extremely challenging to treat effectively (Dawson, 2018; Martin & Golden 2014; Robatto et al., 2024). Eating disorder behaviors such as acute caloric restriction, excessive exercise, binging and purging can cause dangerous medical complications, while comorbid psychological conditions can lead to suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviors (American Psychiatric Association, 2022; Dancyger & Fornari, 2005; Martin & Golden, 2014). Social anxiety is one such comorbid disorder that can be a barrier to patients fully engaging in treatment (Goodwin & Fitzgibbon, 2002; Smith, 2018). Deficits in emotion regulation, including limited awareness and clarity of emotions, are evident in both those with eating disorders and social anxiety (Ben-Porath et al., 2014; Hempel, Vanderbleek & Lynch, 2018; Turk et al., 2005). This study sought to examine the effectiveness of implementing DBT treatment in a partial hospitalization program for eating disorder patients aged 8-21. It was hypothesized that DBT would be more effective than treatment as usual in reducing eating disorder behaviors, decreasing symptoms of social anxiety and improve participants’ ability to regulate emotions. Results found that DBT was more effective than treatment as usual in addressing eating disorder pathology measured by increase in BMI (d=2.014) and percent change in weight (d=1.92). Results did not support the hypotheses that DBT treatment would lead to decreased symptoms of social anxiety and greater ability to regulate emotions. Providers treating eating disorder patients with comorbid social anxiety should address social anxiety as it is a significant barrier to treatment. Future research would benefit from examining engagement in treatment for both individuals and families and to better understand whether DBT adequately addresses willfulness in this population.

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