Primary prevention of eating disorders.

Eating disorders have increased dramatically over the past two decades, but the primary prevention of these disorders has received little attention. This article summarizes our current understanding of anorexia nervosa and bulimia and offers some suggestions for the primary prevention of these disorders at the individual, family, and community levels. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interactional group therapy for anorexic and bulimic women.

Describes interactional group therapy for anorexic and bulimic women, as it was used for 12 groups (with 4–8 Ss each) conducted over 4.5 yrs. Bulimics and anorexics were combined because it is believed that the 2 types of eating-disordered patients have much that they can learn from each other. Group themes particularly relevant to eating-disordered women are discussed, including confidentiality, sexuality, commonalities between the 2 types, and transference. Stages in the evolution of the group and strategies for facilitating group process are reviewed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Body weight and bulimia as discriminators of psychological characteristics among anorexic, bulimic, and obese women.

Bulimic women from underweight (n?=?20), normal-weight (n?=?31), and overweight (n?=?22) categories were compared with restrictor anorexics (n?=?20), normal controls (n?=?31), and obese Ss (n?=?22). Ss' mean age was 21.13 yrs. Each S was administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (M. Rosenberg, 1965), and the Semantic Differential scale. Bulimic women in all 3 weight categories exhibited greater psychopathology, more external locus of control, lower self-esteem, and lower sense of personal effectiveness than nonbulimic women at similar weight levels. The highest psychopathology, lowest self-esteem, and most external locus of control were found among the underweight bulimic women. Significant differences between bulimic women of different weight levels suggest the need for some modification of treatment approaches depending on the bulimic woman's weight level. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive-behavioral and patient education interventions in cardiac catheterization procedures: The Palo Alto Medical Psychology Project.

In a study with 44 39–77 yr old male veterans, the invasive medical procedures of cardiac catheterization were conceptualized as a crisis. Two interventions—a cognitive/behavioral treatment and a patient education treatment—were compared with an attention placebo intervention control group and a current hospital conditions control group. Patient self-reported state anxiety was assessed at preintervention, postintervention, and retrospectively with regard to the actual catheterization procedure. Professional (physician and technician) blind ratings of the patient's adjustment during catheterization were also taken. In addition, a self-statement inventory pertaining to the process of catheterization was administered retrospectively. Results of both sets of adjustment ratings indicate that the intervention groups were significantly more adjusted than each of the controls and that the cognitive/behavioral treatment was the superior intervention. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)