Tiffany Melioli

Internet Addiction Symptoms, Disordered Eating, and Body Image Avoidance

Internet addiction is an increasing concern among young adults. Self-presentational theory posits that the Internet offers a context in which individuals are able to control their image. Little is known about body image and eating concerns among pathological Internet users. The aim of this study was to explore the association between Internet addiction symptoms, body image esteem, body image avoidance, and disordered eating. A sample of 392 French young adults (68 percent women) completed an online questionnaire assessing time spent online, Internet addiction symptoms, disordered eating, and body image avoidance. Fourteen men (11 percent) and 26 women (9.7 percent) reported Internet addiction. Body image avoidance was associated with Internet addiction symptoms among both genders. Controlling for body-mass index, Internet addiction symptoms, and body image avoidance were both significant predictors of disordered eating among women. These findings support the self-presentational theory of Internet addiction and suggest that body image avoidance is an important factor.

Reducing eating disorder symptoms and risk factors using the internet: A meta-analytic review

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this meta-analytic review was, first, to evaluate the efficacy of Internet-based programs in decreasing eating disorder (ED) symptoms, and, second, to identify moderator variables these effects. METHOD Twenty studies were identified and between-group effect sizes were calculated for ED symptoms and risk factors. RESULTS Compared with control conditions, Internet-based programs successfully decreased body dissatisfaction (d = 0.28, 95% CI [0.15-0.41], p < .001), internalization of the thin ideal (d = 0.36, 95% CI [0.07-0.65], p < .05), shape and weight concern (d = 0.42, 95% CI [0.13-0.71], p < .05), dietary restriction (d = 0.36, 95% CI [0.23-0.49], p < .001), drive for thinness (d = 0.47, 95% CI [0.33-0.60], p < .001), bulimic symptoms (d = 0.31, 95% CI [0.20-0.41], p < .001), purging frequency (d = 0.30, 95% CI [0.02-0.57], p < .05), and negative affect (d = 0.32, 95% CI [0.12-0.52], p < .001). Moderator analyses revealed no impact of data analytic strategy on intervention effects. Similarly, participant risk status was not a moderator for most outcomes. DISCUSSION Internet-based programs are successful in decreasing ED symptoms and risk factors with small to moderate between-group effect sizes.

The Role of Body Image in the Relationship Between Internet Use and Bulimic Symptoms: Three Theoretical Frameworks

Exposure to traditional media has been associated with bulimic symptoms. However, to date, little is known regarding the effects of Internet exposure. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between Internet use and bulimic symptoms within the competing frameworks of sociocultural, impression management, and self-objectification theory. A sample of 289 French women aged 18-25 years completed an online questionnaire assessing bulimic symptoms, body dissatisfaction, body image avoidance, self-surveillance, body shame, and weekly Internet use. Bootstrapping analyses revealed that body shame and body image avoidance mediated the effect of weekly Internet use on bulimic symptoms. Furthermore, when entered into a multiple mediation analysis, these two variables provided independent mediation pathways of equal magnitude. The findings support the usefulness of both the self-objectification and impression management frameworks for investigating the relationship between Internet use and bulimic symptoms. Longitudinal research would help to clarify these pathways further.

Personality profiles in young adults with disordered eating behavior

Personality traits are closely related to eating disorders (ED) and might be involved in their development and maintenance. Nevertheless little is known regarding the association between personality traits and disordered eating in subclinical populations. College students answered questionnaires assessing disordered eating behaviors (DEB) and the following personality disorder (PD) traits: schizotypal, autistic, obsessional, borderline and cyclothymic. Participants with DEB (n=101, 87% women) displayed significantly higher scores for several variables including schizotypy, cyclothymic, borderline and obsessional traits compared to other participants (n=378). Cluster analysis in the DEB subsample led to the identification of three groups: 1) a cluster with a high level of traits (HT); 2) a cluster scoring high on schizotypal, borderline and cyclothymic traits (SBC); 3) a cluster with a low level of traits (LT). Symptoms of depression, suicidal ideations, trait anger and obsessive-compulsive symptoms were higher in the HT and the SBC clusters compared to the LT cluster. Given that two thirds of participants suffering from DEB appeared to display a morbid personality profile, it appears of prime importance to take into account PD traits of individuals with DEB.

Association Between Personality Disorders Traits and Problematic Cannabis Use in Adolescents

Background: There are few studies on the contribution of personality disorder traits to cannabis use disorders in adolescents. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of personality disorder traits to problematic cannabis use. Methods: Participants were 111 high school students who completed self-report questionnaires, mainly the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test, assessing problematic cannabis use, and the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire using the scales evaluating personality disorders most often linked to adolescent cannabis use. Results: A multiple regression analysis showed that personality disorder traits explained a high part of the variance in problematic cannabis use symptoms. Schizotypal and borderline personality traits were positively associated to problematic cannabis use symptoms after adjustment for anxious and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: This study suggests the importance of evaluating personality disorder traits in studies of risk factors or consequences of problematic cannabis use.

Impact of antisocial behavior on psychopathic traits in a community sample of adolescents

The objective of this study was to cross-sectionally explore the mediating role of self-serving cognitions in the relationship between antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits. A sample of 970 high school students completed self-report questionnaires assessing antisocial behavior, cognitive distortions, and psychopathic traits. Cognitive distortions partially mediated (and gender moderated) the relationship between antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits. Gender was found to moderate this relationship. Longitudinal studies would permit a fuller understanding of how these relationships interrelate-an understanding that may have important implications for clinical intervention.

French mental health first aid guidelines for eating disorders: an exploration of user characteristics and usefulness among college students

The literature has highlighted that strategies to increase appropriate and timely treatment seeking for eating disorders (EDs) are needed. The aim of this study was to use the Internet to disseminate guidelines for providing first aid to individuals suffering from ED among college students.

Orientations d’acculturation et adaptation psychosociale des adolescents issus de l’immigration

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to explore the typology of adolescents with immigrant background based on the orientations of acculturation and to estimate the psychosocial adaptation of the various subtypes. METHOD A sample of 228 French high school students with an immigrant background completed a questionnaire assessing acculturation orientations (Immigrant Acculturation Scale; Barrette et al., 2004), antisocial behaviors, depressive symptoms and self-esteem. Cluster analysis based on acculturation orientations was performed using the k-means method. RESULTS Cluster analysis produced four distinct acculturation profiles: bicultural (31%), separated (28%), marginalized (21%), and assimilated-individualistic (20%). Adolescents in the separated and marginalized clusters, both characterized by rejection of the host culture, reported higher levels of antisocial behavior. Depressive symptoms and self-esteem did not differ between clusters. DISCUSSION Several hypotheses may explain the association between separation and delinquency. First, separation and rejection of the host culture may lead to rebellious behavior such as delinquency. Conversely, delinquent behavior may provoke rejection or discrimination by peers or school, or legal sanctions that induce a reciprocal process of rejection of the host culture and separation. The relationship between separation and antisocial behavior may be bidirectional, each one reinforcing the other, resulting in a negative spiral. This study confirms the interest of the study of the orientations of acculturation in the understanding of the antisocial behavior of adolescents with immigrant background.