Hannah Chatwin

Effectiveness of a School-Based Emotional Freedom Techniques Intervention for Promoting Student Wellbeing

In academic settings, fear of failure and associated emotional difficulties are common and often result in maladaptive behaviours, which often lead to failure or lowered scholastic achievement. Higher levels of self-esteem and resilience have been shown to protect against fear of failure and emotional difficulties, and predict improved academic outcomes in students. However, few studies have investigated the efficacy of group intervention methods aimed at improving self-esteem and resilience. This non-randomised universal intervention represents the first Australian study of the efficacy of a group Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) treatment program within high schools, aimed at increasing student self-esteem and resilience, and decreasing fear of failure and emotional difficulties. The EFT intervention groups (N = 204) were drawn from two different school cohorts. Results showed a significant improvement in fear of failure, whereby fears were significantly lower from pre-intervention to 12-month follow-up. Findings also indicated a significant main effect of time for emotional and behavioural difficulties, however post hoc tests indicated no statistically significant changes between the time points measured. No significant changes were observed in measures of self-esteem or resilience. The results suggested that EFT might be an effective group intervention for some students decreasing their fear of failure; however, further research is required.

Emotional Freedom Techniques for Food Cravings in Overweight Adults: A Comparison of Treatment Length

Background: Because patients vary in their response to treatment, including adherence, the effect of treatment length in the use of EFT on food cravings was examined by comparing retrospective data from two studies in order to ascertain if shorter programs are as effective. This may then impact treatment adherence and completion. Methods: In study one, 96 overweight and obese adults were randomly allocated to a 4week treatment for their food craving or waitlist condition. In study two, an 8-week EFT program for 47 adults, the same variables were measured as per study one. Participants were assessed for degree of food craving, perceived power of food, restraint capabilities and psychological symptoms at pre-, post-, 6and 12-month follow-up. Results: Outcomes indicated significant reductions in food cravings, subjective power of food, dietary restraint, Body Mass Index, and weight for both interventions. There were no significant differences between the intervention groups in terms of the effect size of outcomes for the variables measured, thus indicating that the 4-week EFT treatment could achieve the outcomes that the 8-week program did. Conclusions: While the efficacy of EFT as an adjunct to standard dietary and exercise programs has been established through several clinical trials, it has not been clear as to the optimal length of program required to achieve successful results. This comparison of a brief OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2018; 3(3), doi:10.21926/obm.icm.1803014 Page 2/13 4-week (8-hour) program versus an 8-week (16-hour program) indicated significant reductions in all measures for both intervention lengths. Length of treatment may be important when considering adherence and motivation.

Emotional Freedom Techniques in the Treatment of Unhealthy Eating Behaviors and Related Psychological Constructs in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

CONTEXT In Australia and throughout much of the world, rates of obesity continue to climb as do the prevalence of eating disorders, particularly in adolescents. Psychological consequences of childhood obesity include low self-esteem, depression, body dissatisfaction, and social maladjustment (Young-Hyman et al., 2012). OBJECTIVE AND INTERVENTION This feasibility study sought to examine the impact of a six-week Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) group treatment program upon eating behaviours, self-esteem, compassion, and psychological symptoms. DESIGN Forty-four students were randomly allocated to either the EFT group or the waitlist control group. RESULTS Results revealed a delayed effect for both groups at post-intervention, with improved eating habits, self-esteem, and compassion at follow-up. Findings provide preliminary support for EFT as an effective treatment strategy for increasing healthy eating behaviours and improving associated weight-related psychopathology.

Can health status and self-esteem predict gratitude in adult females?

Gratitude is often considered a sub-sector of positive psychology. The aim of this study was to examine whether health status and self-esteem could predict gratitude scores in a sample of women. A non-clinical female sample (N = 200) completed self-reported measures online. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to examine whether health status and self-esteem could significantly predict gratitude scores. Findings revealed that health status did not significantly predict gratitude scores in the sample of women in the current study. However, self-esteem was found to statistically predict gratitude scores, suggesting that women with low self-esteem levels were more likely to have lower gratitude scores, which is supported by previous research. The implications of this finding may benefit treatment programs, to increase self-esteem levels in individuals to achieve higher gratitude levels, resulting in various benefits for overall health and well-being.