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A questionnaire measuring the benefits and disadvantages of eating disorder symptoms was developed and the themes endorsed by different eating disorder groups were explored. It was observed that the pros and cons of eating disorder symptoms was a useful tool for identifying the positive and negative aspects of eating disorders that can be targeted in treatment or used as an outcome measure in research.

The development of the (P-CAN) scale, a quantitative measure of both positive (valued) and negative aspects of anorexia nervosa (AN), is described. The P-CAN shows good psychometric properties and proves to be a useful tool for the measurement of attitudes towards AN, offering insights into the maintenance of the disorder.

Background: There is debate as to whether eating disorders may be culture-bound. However, accumulating evidence suggests that eating disorders may be found outside of the West, although the precise form of the eating disorder may differ. Aims: There were two aims of this study: (1) to translate and establish the psychometric properties of standard questionnaires to measure eating pathology in a Georgian sample; (2) to use these measures to determine whether cases of eating disorders exist in Georgia. Methods: We held focus groups of various health professionals to establish how eating disorders present in Georgia and to identify groups perceived to be at high risk of having an eating disorder. We obtained translated versions of a number of standardized questionnaires (measuring eating and general psychopathology) from 245 women from these identified high risk groups and a subsample were given a structured clinical interview. Results: We estimated from the responses to the questionnaires, that as many as 5% may have clinically Significant bulimia nervosa, 7% fell in the weight range for anorexia nervosa with a further 7% in the weight range for obesity. We interviewed a sample of the high scoring group which confirmed the presence of clinically significant eating pathology in the majority of those identified as possible cases. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest there may be women in Georgia with significant eating problems.

Research indicates that women with eating disorders equally exhibit fear and disgust responses to body shape and food issues, indicating that eating disorder research should focus not merely on fear but on both fear and disgust.

Research into the links between eating disorders and depression is presented. It is concluded that the cognitive elements of depression, rather than the somatic/affective elements, are uniquely connected with eating disorder behaviour.

A study into links between symptoms of eating and general pathology and disgust sensitivity in those with eating disorders, found that disgust has a positive link to eating disorder symptoms.

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are studied to verify earlier findings that there are differences between their early onset and late onset. Life events are considered a factor for late onset of anorexia, while their effect on bulimia is unknown. The results do not support previous studies that late onset of eating disorders are brought about by stress. In addition, no differences exist for women with stress-induced eating disorders to those who had it in the absence of stress.

Semistructured interviews were conducted to examine coping and crisis support among women whose stressful experiences contribute to their eating disorders. Findings revealed that cognitive avoidance and cognitive rumination are common among women with eating disorders. These women were less likely to downplay their problems than women without eating disorders. Women with bulimia nervosa were prone to blaming themselves and less likely to receive crisis support. In general, women with eating disorders were found to be less effective in their coping than counterparts without disorders.

Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) have deficient social support networks. They report less practical and actual support, and set low ideals for support. Social support fails to show any relation with duration of illness. Patients with AN show greater deficits in the size of their social network, while those with BN show both size and perceived adequacy deficits in their social networks. The former are less likely to have spouse- or partner-support than the latter.

A longer duration of illness and a lower binge frequency in the beginning of the treatment predict a better outcome at the end and at the follow up of the treatment of bulimia nervosa. Longer duration of illness predicts a better outcome at the end of the treatment for patients undergoing 16 weeks of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Lower pretreatment binge frequency predicts better outcome for patients who are given a self-treatment manual followed by up to 8 weeks of CBT.

Analysis of the development of alexithymia in patients with eating disorders and comparison with the non-eating disordered population using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale for 29 patients with restricted Anorexia nervosa (AN/R), 83 bulimic patients and 15 patients with anorexia with a subtype bulimia (AN/BN) shows lower ability to recognize their feelings in all three eating disorder groups as compared to the control group of 79 psychology students. Thus, treatment which concentrates on identifying and expressing feelings may be useful in the treatment of eating disorders.

In relation to sitting behaviour, to investigate which theoretical domains best formed the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation constructs of the COM-B, and compare the predictive validity to the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), taking habit strength into consideration. Using a prospective design, 186 adults completed measures capturing domains from the Theoretical Domains Framework for the three COM-B constructs, and habit strength, which were examined using a formative measurement model. Predictive validity was then compared to the TPB. Self-reported sitting behaviour. Self-monitoring (behavioural regulation domain) formed Capability; subjective norm (social influences domain) formed Opportunity; intention (intentions domain), positive affect (emotion domain), and perceived behavioural control (beliefs about capabilities domain), formed Motivation. The COM-B strongly predicted sitting behaviour (27% variance explained), with Capability, Opportunity, and habit strength as key drivers. The TPB explained a large amount of variance (23%) in sitting behaviour, with intention and habit strength as key drivers. The behavioural regulation domain of Capability, the social influences domain of Opportunity, and habit strength were important drivers of sitting behaviour, with comparable variance predicted in the COM-B and TPB. Future research should consider this approach to conceptualise the COM-B for specific populations and behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]