Manuel Waldorf

German version of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire – Appearance Scales (MBSRQ-AS): Confirmatory factor analysis and validation

The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) is a widely used questionnaire that measures body image as a multidimensional construct. The Appearance Scales (AS) of the MBSRQ (Appearance Evaluation, Appearance Orientation, Body Areas Satisfaction, Overweight Preoccupation and Self-Classified Weight) are subscales which facilitate a parsimonious assessment of appearance-related aspects of body image. The current study tested the psychometric properties and factor structure of a German translation of the MBSRQ-AS. Participants were n=230 female patients with the SCID diagnosis of an eating disorder and n=293 female healthy controls. In a confirmatory factor analysis, convincing goodness-of-fit indices emerged. The subscales of the questionnaire yielded good reliability and convergent and discriminant validity coefficients, with most items showing excellent characteristics. Like the English version, the German adaptation of the questionnaire can be recommended for a multidimensional assessment of appearance-related aspects of body image in both research and clinical practice.

Selective Visual Attention Towards Oneself and Associated State Body Satisfaction: an Eye-Tracking Study in Adolescents with Different Types of Eating Disorders.

The development of eating disorders is associated with a body-related attentional bias. Although eating disorders are especially prevalent in adolescence, so far, no study has analyzed gaze patterns and state body image in response to viewing one’s own body in youth. To fill this gap, the present study aimed to examine a body-related attentional bias and state body satisfaction in adolescents with various forms of eating disorders. Girls with anorexia nervosa, restrictive type (AN-R; n = 30), anorexia nervosa, binge eating/purging type (AN-BP; n = 26), bulimia nervosa (BN; n = 22), clinical controls with anxiety disorders (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 43) looked at photographs of their own and a peer’s body, while their spontaneous eye movements were recorded. After stimulus presentation, state body satisfaction and individual attractiveness ratings for areas of the presented stimuli were assessed. An analysis of variance revealed that participants of all subgroups showed an attentive preference for unattractive areas of one’s own body. Girls with AN-R attended significantly longer to unattractive body areas than both control groups and significantly shorter to attractive body areas than healthy controls. State body dissatisfaction was more prominent in all eating disorder subgroups, with significantly lower scores in BN compared to AN-R. In general, the higher the state body dissatisfaction, the stronger was the deficit orientation on one’s own body. The attentional bias towards unattractive body areas, which is most pronounced in AN-R, indicates that interventions aiming to modify distorted attention might be promising in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders in adolescence.

A single bout of resistance training improves state body image in male weight-trainers.

Although improvements in body image have been shown for longer-lasting resistance training, research on its short-term effects is currently lacking. The present study set out to test a hypothesized beneficial effect of a single bout of resistance training on global and specific (i.e., body fat- and muscularity-related) body image states of male exercisers. Additionally, a moderating effect of drive for muscularity was explored. In a controlled crossover study, 42 experienced weight trainers received (a) a session of resistance training; (b) a session of aerobic exercise (cycling); and (c) a session of magazine reading. Body image states were assessed before and immediately after each condition, and after 24 hr. As hypothesized, resistance training, but not cycling or reading, led to a significant increase in perceived muscularity on a silhouette measure of body image states (g = 0.31 or 3 kg). Both exercise conditions led to a significant decrease in perceived body fat (g = −0.33 or −2.5% for resistance training), but for resistance training, this only held true for men lower in drive for muscularity (g = .58, p < .01). After 24 hr, scores had returned to baseline levels. Even a single bout of resistance training yields short-term improvements in men’s body image states on both the muscularity and fat dimension, which may act as a reinforcer of exercise behavior. The present findings might foster the understanding of body-image factors that contribute to the development of excessive weight-lifting behavior.

Visual processing of one's own body over the course of time: Evidence for the vigilance-avoidance theory in adolescents with anorexia nervosa?

OBJECTIVE The vigilance-avoidance theory postulates a specific threat-related pattern of attention deployment, characterized by initial orientation towards fear-evoking stimuli and subsequent directing of attention away from them. The current eye-tracking study was the first to examine the applicability of the theory for patients with eating disorders, who perceive their own body as a highly aversive, threat-evoking stimulus. METHOD N = 56 female adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and n = 43 healthy controls (HC) aged 13-18 viewed own-body pictures while their eye movements were recorded. Relative fixation times on self-defined unattractive body areas were compared between the groups by sequencing the overall presentation time of 6,000 ms into six intervals à 1,000 ms. RESULTS Participants with AN showed a significantly stronger attentional bias for unattractive body areas than HC within the time intervals 1, 2, and 3. However, for intervals 4, 5, and 6, no significant group differences occurred. Within the AN group, the bias for unattractive body areas was significantly stronger in interval 1 compared to intervals 4, 5, and 6; whereas within the HC group, a stable pattern of attention deployment emerged. In AN, early attention deployment was positively correlated with the negative affect reported after photo presentation. DISCUSSION The early vigilance in AN and the subsequent decrease in attention to unattractive body parts is in line with our assumptions. However, no indication of attentional avoidance was found. The current findings partially support the vigilance-avoidance theory for the exposure to ones own body in adolescents with AN.

Fears, Coping Styles, and Health Behaviors: A Comparison of Patients With Hypochondriasis, Panic Disorder, and Depression.

Abstract Research into correlates of illness anxiety disorder (formerly hypochondriasis) rarely applies comprehensive assessments of health behavior. Moreover, studies on phenomenological varieties of clinical health anxiety are scarce. We examined health behavior, fear, and acceptance of death and dying, and coping with a hypothetical bodily disease in patients with hypochondriasis, panic disorder, depression, and healthy controls (all groups n = 30) using self-rated questionnaires. ANOVA with Dunnett-T3 post hoc tests revealed no group differences in health behavior. The hypochondriasis and panic disorder groups showed more fear and less acceptance of death and dying than patients with depression and controls. Groups did not differ concerning coping strategies. Patients with hypochondriasis ruminated more when confronted with their most feared rather than another disease. Patients apparently overestimate the danger of a specific disease, but without underestimating their coping abilities. A therapeutic focus on fear of death and dying via cognitive interventions and exposure is recommended.

Effects of the exposure to self- and other-referential bodies on state body image and negative affect in resistance-trained men

Previous body image research suggests that first, exposure to body stimuli can negatively affect mens body satisfaction and second, body concerns are associated with dysfunctional gaze behavior. To date, however, the effects of self- vs. other-referential body stimuli and of gaze behavior on body image in men under exposure conditions have not been investigated. Therefore, 49 weight-trained men were presented with pictures of their own and other bodies of different builds (i.e., normal, muscular, hyper-muscular) while being eye-tracked. Participants completed pre- and post-exposure measures of body image and affect. Results indicated that ones own and the muscular body negatively affected mens body image to a comparable degree. Exposure to ones own body also led to increased negative affect. Increased attention toward disliked own body parts was associated with a more negative post-exposure body image and affect. These results suggest a crucial role of critical self-examination in maintaining body dissatisfaction.

Körperbezogene Aufmerksamkeitsverzerrungen bei Frauen und Männern

ZusammenfassungHintergrundAufmerksamkeitsverzerrungen bei der Verarbeitung körper- und figurbezogener Stimuli werden als aufrechterhaltender Faktor von Körperunzufriedenheit bzw. eines gestörten Körperbilds diskutiert.Ziel der ArbeitDer vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über Studien zu körper- und figurbezogenen Aufmerksamkeitsverzerrungen bei Frauen und Männern.Material und MethodenVor dem Hintergrund eines heuristischen kognitiv-behavioralen Metamodells zu Entstehung und Aufrechterhaltung von Körperbildstörungen werden aktuelle Befunde zu selektiver körper- und figurbezogener Aufmerksamkeitslenkung, getrennt für Frauen und Männer, dargestellt. Zudem werden Ergebnisse zur experimentellen Modifikation körper- und figurbezogener Verzerrungstendenzen bei Frauen referiert sowie Implikationen für die therapeutische Praxis abgeleitet.Ergebnisse und DiskussionFür beide Geschlechter deuten die berichteten Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass (sub-)klinische Körperbildsorgen mit einer dysfunktionaleren Verarbeitung körper- und figurbezogener Stimuli einhergehen, insbesondere bei der Betrachtung des eigenen Körpers. Überdies sprechen die Befunde zur Modifikation attentionaler Verzerrungen bei Frauen für einen kausalen Zusammenhang zwischen selektiver Aufmerksamkeitslenkung auf negativ-valenzierte Körperstimuli und Körperunzufriedenheit.AbstractBackgroundAttentional bias during the processing of body and shape-related stimuli are assumed to perpetuate body dissatisfaction and a disturbed body image.ObjectivesThis article presents a review of currently available studies concerning body and shape-related attentional bias in both genders.Material and methodsIn the light of a heuristic cognitive-behavioral meta-model for the development and perpetuation of disturbed body images, recent findings on body and shape-related attentional bias are presented separately for women and men. Furthermore, findings on the experimental modification of this bias in women are presented and the implications for the therapeutic practice are deduced.Results and conclusionFor both genders the presented results indicate that (sub)clinical body image concerns are associated with a more dysfunctional processing of body and shape-related stimuli, especially with respect to one’s own body. Moreover, findings on the modification of attentional bias in women suggest a causal relationship between attention allocation towards negatively rated body stimuli and body dissatisfaction.

Body Covering and Body Image: A Comparison of Veiled and Unveiled Muslim Women, Christian Women, and Atheist Women Regarding Body Checking, Body Dissatisfaction, and Eating Disorder Symptoms

Although Islam is the fastest growing religion worldwide, only few studies have investigated body image in Muslim women, and no study has investigated body checking. Therefore, the present study examined whether body image, body checking, and disordered eating differ between veiled and unveiled Muslim women, Christian women, and atheist women. While the groups did not differ regarding body dissatisfaction, unveiled Muslim women reported more checking than veiled Muslim and Christian women, and higher bulimia scores than Christian. Thus, prevention against eating disorders should integrate all women, irrespective of religious affiliation or veiling, with a particular focus on unveiled Muslim women.

Familial transmission of a body-related attentional bias – An eye-tracking study in a nonclinical sample of female adolescents and their mothers

Background Previous research indicates that body image disturbance is transmitted from mother to daughter via modeling of maternal body-related behaviors and attitudes (indirect transmission) and via maternal body-related feedback (direct transmission). So far, the transmission of body-related attentional biases, which according to cognitive-behavioral theories play a prominent role in the development and maintenance of eating disorders, has not been analyzed. The current eye-tracking study applied the concepts of direct and indirect transmission to body-related attentional biases by examining body-related viewing patterns on self- and other-pictures within mother-daughter dyads. Methods Eye movements of N = 82 participants (n = 41 healthy female adolescents, mean age 15.82 years, SD = 1.80, and their mothers, mean age 47.78 years, SD = 4.52) were recorded while looking at whole-body pictures of themselves and a control peer. Based on fixations on self-defined attractive and unattractive body areas, visual attention bias scores were calculated for mothers and daughters, representing the pattern of body-related attention allocation. Based on mothers’ fixations on their own daughter’s and the adolescent peer’s body, a second visual attention bias score was calculated, reflecting the mothers’ viewing pattern on their own daughter. Results Analysis of variance revealed an attentional bias for self-defined unattractive body areas in adolescents. The girls’ visual attention bias score correlated significantly with their mothers’ bias score, indicating indirect transmission, and with their mothers’ second bias score, indicating direct transmission. Moreover, the girls’ bias score correlated significantly with negative body-related feedback from their mothers. Conclusions Female adolescents show a deficit-oriented attentional bias for one’s own and a peer’s body. The correlated body-related attention patterns imply that attentional biases might be transmitted directly and indirectly from mothers to daughters. Results underline the potential relevance of maternal influences for the development of body image disturbance in girls and suggest specific family-based approaches for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.

Is There More to Insight Into Illness in Schizophrenia Than Cognition? A Study Applying the Dynamic Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

Impaired insight is common in schizophrenia. Etiological models focusing on single determinants have not succeeded in explaining insight deficits. More complex models seem promising. This study tests Startup’s (1996) model of insight and cognition, predicting a curvilinear relationship and specific insight–cognition configurations. Patients with schizophrenia diagnoses (N = 248) were assessed with the Dynamic Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCSTdyn) and measures of psychopathology and premorbid intelligence. In a regression model connecting insight and WCSTdyn, the linear and quadratic term accounted for a small but significant proportion of variance. Cluster analysis yielded two cognitively high-functioning groups differing in insight and a group with impaired cognition and reduced insight. Results support Startup’s framework of multiple barriers to insight. Cognitive deficits seem to be one insight-limiting factor, but motivational influences on insight cannot be excluded. Research on therapeutic interventions should take these different pathways into account.