engleski

SOME CORRELATES OF MOTIVATION TO CHANGE IN FEMALE SUBJECTS WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Previous body of research draws attention to the finding that people with anorexia nervosa are less motivated to treatment, which is ultimately associated with adverse outcomes and high treatment drop-out rates. At the core of motivational deficit is ambivalence regarding the desire to recover, which is often associated with this disorder. The trans-theoretical model of intentional behavior change assumes the existence of five stages in changing a particular, maladaptive behavior (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance) and is especially relevant for behaviors characterized by a motivational deficit, such as various addictions. The aim of this study was to examine the correlations between motivation to change and the eating disorder symptoms intensity in 33 female participants, aged 20 to 33 suffering from anorexia nervosa. The Anorexia Nervosa Stage of Change Questionnaire and the Eating Disorders Inventory were applied in the online research. A total of eight symptoms related to the psychopathology of eating disorders, but also to general psychological functioning were assessed (drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, bulimia, perfectionism, inefficiency, interoceptive awareness, interpersonal distrust and maturity fears). The results of correlation analysis indicate that female subjects with lower motivation to change tend to experience greater eating disorder symptoms intensity such as weight loss, body dissatisfaction, maturity fears, inefficiency and interpersonal distrust. Furthermore, bulimia, interoceptive awareness and perfectionism have not shown to be significant correlates of motivation to change. In this study, the largest percentage of participants (N = 15 ; 45.50%) were in the maintenance stage, while the remaining 18 participants (54.54%) were in the pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation and action stages. These two groups of participants differed significantly in certain symptoms of eating disorders. Participants in pre- contemplation, contemplation, preparation and action stages experience significantly greater maturity fears and interpersonal distrust compared to the group of participants in the maintenance stage. Consistent with the TTM, the results indicate that participants with anorexia, who exhibit higher motivation to change, could be evaluated as a potential group for achieving more favorable treatment outcomes compared to the group with lower motivation to change. Trans-theoretical model has a potential for application in a clinical practice and should be investigated in depth.

anorexia nervosa, transtheoretical model of intentional behavior change, motivation to change, intensity of eating disorder symptoms

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