A preliminary controlled comparison of programs designed to reduce risk of eating disorders targeting perfectionism and media literacy.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to compare the efficacy of two eight-lesson programs, targeting perfectionism and media literacy compared to control classes in reducing eating disorder risk. METHOD: Students from six classes (N = 127, mean age 15.0 years, SD 0.4) and two schools participated. Linear mixed-model analyses were conducted by group (3: perfectionism, media literacy, control), time (2: postprogram, 3-month follow-up) and eating disorder risk status (2: high, low), with baseline observations included as a covariate. RESULTS: An interaction effect favoring the perfectionism program at 3-month follow-up was found for concern over mistakes (effect size 0.45). A main effect for group, also favoring the perfectionism program, was found for personal standards (effect size 0.44). High-risk participants (i.e., those with high levels of shape and weight concern at baseline) benefited most from the perfectionism program with reliable change indices indicating favorable rates of improvement beyond chance on all of the variables, whereas the media literacy and control participants experienced a comparable rate of change during the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting perfectionism represents a promising prevention option that requires further investigation in children of mid-adolescence age, and further investigation is required to determine the demographic most likely to benefit from media literacy.

The role of psychological well-being in retaining rural general practitioners.

OBJECTIVE: Retention of rural GPs is an increasing area of concern and is receiving considerable attention from the government, medical authorities and the media. This study aimed to examine the potential for psychological interventions to assist in the retention of rural GPs through targeting their psychological well-being. DESIGN: GPs completed a questionnaire, including questions about their level of support in rural practice, psychological health (work-related morale and distress, distress related specifically to working in rural general practice, quality of work life) and intentions to leave rural practice. SETTING: Rural general practices in South Australia. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and eighty-seven rural GPs. RESULTS: Results indicated that rural GPs who were seriously considering leaving rural practice had higher work-related distress, higher distress related specifically to working in a rural general practice and lower quality of work life. GPs who considered leaving rural practice also reported having fewer colleagues with whom to discuss professional issues. CONCLUSION: Results indicated that psychological interventions (such as cognitive behavioural training), assistance with stress reduction and coping mechanisms (such as more interaction with colleagues) may be of benefit to GPs who are considering leaving rural practice. Such training may increase the number of GPs who ultimately stay in rural practice.