Validation of the Spanish version of the eating disorders quality of life instrument (EDQOL).

BACKGROUND: The Eating Disorders Quality of Life instrument (EDQOL) is a disease-specific health related quality of life self-report questionnaire designed for disordered eating patients. Although the EDQOL is one of the most suitable and widely used questionnaires in many countries, no prior research has addressed the psychometric properties of the Spanish adaptation of the EDQOL. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the EDQOL among ED patients. METHODS: 141 female eating disorder patients, with a mean age of 18.06 years (SD = 6.31), completed the EDQL in addition to the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ), the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21), the Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA 3.0) and the Health Survey (SF-12). We calculated item/scale characteristics, internal consistencies and bivariate correlations with other measures of quality of life and adjustments. We assessed the goodness-of-fit of the 4-factor model using confirmatory factors analysis and explored the sensitivity of change following skill-based interventions. RESULTS: The fit of the 4-factor model was acceptable (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation: 0.07, Standard Root Mean Square Residual: 0.07). Cronbach's alpha was excellent for the total (.91) and acceptable for all subscales (0.78-0.91). The construct validity was found with measures of psychological distress, depression, anxiety, quality of life and clinical impairment. The psychological and physical/cognitive scales and the EDQOL global scale were responsive to change. CONCLUSION: The Spanish EDQOL version is a useful instrument to assess quality of life in eating disorder patients and to evaluate outcomes of skills-based interventions.

Eating Disorders (EDs) have a severe impact on many domains of quality of life (QOL). Therefore QOL needs to be addressed in effectiveness research and clinical practice. Furthermore, QOL is a very relevant concept in the treatment of chronic diseases and its evaluation requires specific health-related questionnaires. One widely used self-report measure to assess the quality of life in eating disorders is the Eating Disorder Quality of Life (EDQOL). Despite its high clinical relevance, EDQOL has not been previously investigated in the Spanish context. To overcome this gap, the present study aimed to validate the Spanish version of the EDQOL in a sample of Spanish eating disorder patients. The findings showed that the Spanish version of the EDQOL is robust in terms of reliability, factor structure and construct validity. This questionnaire may be preferred by clinicians and researchers interested in ED-specific health related quality of life impairment and as an additional indicator of ED severity.

Aplicación del programa “Reducción del estrés basado en atención plena” en pacientes con trastorno límite de la personalidad y dolor crónico: un estudio piloto / Application of the "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction" program in patients with borderline personality disorder and chronic pain: a pilot study

El dolor crónico presenta una elevada comorbilidad con el trastorno límite dela personalidad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue aplicar y evaluar la eficacia delprograma “Reducción del estrés basado en atención plena” (REBAP) en un grupode pacientes con ambos diagnósticos. Participaron 24 pacientes, con una edadmedia de 41,83 años (DT= 10,35), siendo la mayoría mujeres (91,7%). El programaconstó de ocho sesiones, donde el entrenamiento en conciencia plena es central, yse desarrolló a través de prácticas formales (yoga, meditación sentado) o informales(atención plena en actividades de la vida diaria) en las que se fomentaban actitudescomo la aceptación, actitud del principiante o la apertura. Además de la evaluaciónposintervención, se realizó un seguimiento a los 9 meses. Los resultados mostraronmejorías en la intensidad e interferencia del dolor, ansiedad, algunas estrategias deafrontamiento (reevaluación cognitiva, distracción y autocontrol mental), atenciónplena y calidad de vida. Estos resultados se mantuvieron a los 9 meses y sugierenla eficacia del programa REBAP en estos pacientes. (AU)

Chronic pain has a high comorbidity with borderline personality disorder. Theaim of this study was to apply and evaluate the effectiveness of the MindfulnessBased Stress Reduction (MBSR) program in a group of patients with both diagnoses.Twenty-four patients participated, with a mean age of 41.83 years (SD= 10.35),and a majority women (91.7%). The program consisted of eight sessions in whichtraining in mindfulness is central, and was developed through formal practices(yoga, sitting meditation) or informal practices (mindfulness in activities of daily life) in which attitudes as acceptance and openness were promoted. In addition to thepost-intervention evaluation, a 9-month follow-up was performed. The resultsshowed improvements in the intensity and interference of pain, anxiety, some coping strategies (cognitive reappraisal, distraction and mental self-control), mindfulness and quality of life. These results suggest the efficacy of the MBSR program in these patients. (AU)

Testing carer skill training programs in Spanish carers of patients with eating disorders / Aplicación de programas de entrenamiento en habilidades para cuidadores españoles de pacientes con un trastorno de la conducta alimentaria

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to conduct a pilot study to measure the effectiveness of the Collaborative Care Skills Training Workshops (CCSTW) on the outcomes of Spanish carers and to analyse the impact of this programme on the patient's wellbeing. We used psychoeducation as a comparison intervention in the study. METHOD: The study compared two forms of carer workshops. 64 carers and 37 eating disorder patients participated in this study. Carers were randomised to either the CCSTW or the Psycho-educational programme. This study used an experimental intervention design with evaluations before, after and at a 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Carers receiving both intervention programmes showed an improvement in wellbeing indicating a benefi t from the training. The course of burden, psychological distress, expressed emotion and illness perception was similar in the two groups. In patients whose caregivers had participated in CCSTW programme the levels of anxiety, depression and psychological distress decreased. CONCLUSIONS: These fi ndings suggest that carer distress, burden, illness perception and expressed emotion can be alleviated if they are helped in this role. There appear to be secondary benefi ts of the CCSTW on patients' wellbeing

ANTECEDENTES: el objetivo de esta investigación fue llevar a cabo un estudio piloto para evaluar la efectividad de los Talleres de Cuidado Colaborativo (CCSTW) en cuidadores españoles de pacientes con un trastorno alimentario y analizar el impacto de este programa en el bienestar del paciente. MÉTODO: este estudio comparó dos programas para cuidadores. Los cuidadores fueron asignados aleatoriamente a un programa psicoeducativo o a CCSTW. Participaron 64 cuidadores y 37 pacientes con un trastorno alimentario. Este estudio utilizó un diseño experimental con medidas pre-post y a los 3 meses de seguimiento. RESULTADOS: los cuidadores de ambos programas mostraron una mejora en el bienestar que indica el benefi cio de ambas intervenciones. La evolución de la carga del cuidador, el malestar psicológico, la emoción expresada y la percepción de la enfermedad fueron similares en los dos grupos. En los pacientes, cuyos cuidadores habían participado en el programa CCSTW, los niveles de ansiedad, depresión y malestar psicológico disminuyeron. CONCLUSIÓN: estos resultados sugieren que el malestar del cuidador, la carga, la percepción de enfermedad y la emoción expresada pueden aliviarse si se les ayuda en este rol. Se encuentran benefi cios secundarios de los CCSTW en el bienestar de los pacientes

Testing carer skill training programs in Spanish carers of patients with eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to conduct a pilot study to measure the effectiveness of the Collaborative Care Skills Training Workshops (CCSTW) on the outcomes of Spanish carers and to analyse the impact of this programme on the patient's wellbeing. We used psychoeducation as a comparison intervention in the study. METHOD: The study compared two forms of carer workshops. 64 carers and 37 eating disorder patients participated in this study. Carers were randomised to either the CCSTW or the Psycho-educational programme. This study used an experimental intervention design with evaluations before, after and at a 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Carers receiving both intervention programmes showed an improvement in wellbeing indicating a benefit from the training. The course of burden, psychological distress, expressed emotion and illness perception was similar in the two groups. In patients whose caregivers had participated in CCSTW programme the levels of anxiety, depression and psychological distress decreased. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that carer distress, burden, illness perception and expressed emotion can be alleviated if they are helped in this role. There appear to be secondary benefits of the CCSTW on patients' wellbeing.

The Spanish Validation of the Accommodation and Enabling Scale for Eating Disorders Among Carers: A Pilot Study.

Literature suggests that families may accommodate patients' symptoms in attempts to alleviate family conflict and stress. These accommodating and enabling behaviours may have a negative impact on carers and those they care for. There are no self-report questionnaires validated in Spanish to measure accommodation among relatives of patients with an eating disorder. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Accommodation and Enabling Scale for Eating Disorders (AESED-S) among relatives of eating disorder patients. A cross-sectional study of 90 relatives was carried out to explore the factor structure, reliability and validity of the AESED-S. The internal consistency of the Spanish version of the AESED subscales was good, ranging from .89 to .81. The correlation of the five subscales with conceptually related measures (negative caregiving experience and distress) supports the convergent validity of this instrument in this sample. Results indicated that the Spanish version of the AESED provides a reliable and valid tool for assessing family accommodation in the context of having a relative with an eating disorder.

Adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of the Dieting Peer Competitiveness Scale to adolescents of both genders.

This study examined the Dieting Peer Competitiveness Scale; it is an instrument for evaluating this social comparison in young people. This instrumental study has two aims: The objective of the first aim was to present preliminary psychometric data from the Spanish version of the Dieting Peer Competitiveness Scale, including statistical item analysis, research about this instrument's internal structure, and a reliability analysis, from a sample of 1067 secondary school adolescents. The second objective of the study corresponds to confirmatory factor analysis of the scale's internal structure, as well as analysis for evidence of validity from a sample of 1075 adolescents.

Development and validation of the theory of planned behavior questionnaire in physical activity.

The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is one of the main theoretical models in the study of the different variables, which influence in the practise of physical activity. The aim in this study was to develop a questionnaire based on TPB in physical activity context providing evidence for the validity of the obtained measures. The instrumental project included three independent studies. The first study entailed the construction and qualitative assessment of the items. In the second study, the analysis of factorial structure was performed by means of exploratory measures, and it showed that the reliability of measures was adequate. The third study provided evidence on the dimensionality of the scale. The confirmatory factorial analysis guaranteed the stability of factorial structure proposed by the TPB and provided evidence for the internal validity of the inventory. Moreover, this study provided evidence of its external validity.

Development and validation of the theory of planned behavior questionnaire in physical activity

The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is one of the main theoretical models in the study of the different variables, which influence in the practise of physical activity. The aim in this study was to develop a questionnaire based on TPB in physical activity context providing evidence for the validity of the obtained measures. The instrumental project included three independent studies. The first study entailed the construction and qualitative assessment of the items. In the second study, the analysis of factorial structure was performed by means of exploratory measures, and it showed that the reliability of measures was adequate. The third study provided evidence on the dimensionality of the scale. The confirmatory factorial analysis guaranteed the stability of factorial structure proposed by the TPB and provided evidence for the internal validity of the inventory. Moreover, this study provided evidence of its external validity (AU)

La Teoría de la Conducta Planeada (TCP) es uno de los modelos teóricos más empleados para conocer las diferentes variables que influyen en la realización de ejercicio físico. El objetivo en este trabajo fue elaborar un cuestionario basado en la TCP en el contexto del ejercicio físico y aportar evidencias sobre la validez de sus mediciones. El trabajo instrumental incluyó tres estudios independientes. El primer estudio consistió en la elaboración y evaluación cualitativa de los ítems. En el segundo estudio se analizó la estructura factorial mediante procedimientos exploratorios y se mostró que la fiabilidad de las mediciones era adecuada. El tercer estudio aportó evidencias sobre la dimensionalidad del inventario. El análisis factorial confirmatorio avaló la estabilidad de la estructura factorial propuesta por la TCP, así como aportó evidencias de validez interna del instrumento. También se aportan evidencias de su validez externa (AU)

Estrategias de afrontamiento evitativas y riesgo de desarrollar un trastorno de la conducta alimentaria en adolescentes / Avoidance coping style and the risk of developing an eating disorder in adolescents

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar las diferencias en el estilo y estrategias de afrontamiento, en los adolescentes españoles de ambos géneros, con mayor y menor riesgo de desarrollar un Trastorno de la Conducta Alimentaria (TCA). Y en segundo lugar, estudiar la relación entre los diferentes estilos y estrategias de afrontamiento con el riesgo de desarrollar un TCA. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 2.142 adolescentes (1.130 chicas y 1.012 chicos), con una media de edad de 13,96 años (dt= 1,34), que completaron las Escalas de Afrontamiento para Adolescentes (ACS) y el Eating Attitude Test (EAT- 40). Los resultados mostraron un mayor uso de estrategias de afrontamiento de huida intropunitiva en adolescentes, chicos y chicas, con mayores puntuaciones en el EAT-40. Los análisis de regresión indicaron que el estilo de afrontamiento que explicó el mayor porcentaje de varianza del riesgo de desarrollar un TCA fue la huida intropunitiva y la estrategia de afrontamiento de reducción de la tensión. Los resultados de este estudio tienen implicaciones para la prevención de estas conductas en adolescentes, ya que las personas en riesgo presentan un estilo de afrontamiento desadaptativo previo a la instauración del trastorno alimentario (AU)

The first aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between coping styles and strategies in Spanish adolescents of both genders, with high and low eating disorder risk. Secondly, this study aims to examine the relation of coping styles and coping strategies with eating disorder risk. The sample comprised 2142 adolescents (1.130 girls and 1.012 boys), mean age 13,96 years (SD= 1,34). They completed the Adolescent Coping Scale (ACS) and the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-40). The results showed high use of intropunitive avoidance coping in both female and male adolescents with high EAT-40 scores. The regression analysis indicated that, in both girls and boys, the intropunitive avoidance and the tension reduction coping strategy explained a high percentage of variance of eating disorder risk. The results of this study have implications for the prevention of these behaviours in adolescents, because people with a high risk of developing an eating disorder present a maladaptive coping style before the onset of the eating disorder (AU)

[Avoidance coping style and the risk of developing an eating disorder in adolescents]. / Estrategias de afrontamiento evitativas y riesgo de desarrollar un trastorno de la conducta alimentaria en adolescentes.

The first aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between coping styles and strategies in Spanish adolescents of both genders, with high and low eating disorder risk. Secondly, this study aims to examine the relation of coping styles and coping strategies with eating disorder risk. The sample comprised 2142 adolescents (1.130 girls and 1.012 boys), mean age 13,96 years (SD= 1.34). They completed the Adolescent Coping Scale (ACS) and the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-40). The results showed high use of intropunitive avoidance coping in both female and male adolescents with high EAT-40 scores. The regression analysis indicated that, in both girls and boys, the intropunitive avoidance and the tension reduction coping strategy explained a high percentage of variance of eating disorder risk. The results of this study have implications for the prevention of these behaviours in adolescents, because people with a high risk of developing an eating disorder present a maladaptive coping style before the onset of the eating disorder.

Diferencias de género y edad en los hábitos alimentarios y sobrepeso de los adolescentes españoles / Gender and age diferences in eating habits and overweight in Spanish adolescents

Fundamentos: En este trabajo se aborda la descripción de los hábitos alimentarios y del sobrepeso, así como las diferencias en función del género y la edad, de una muestra representativa de adolescentes de la provincia de Alicante. Métodos: Estudio trasversal mediante muestreo aleatorio monoetápico. Se reclutaron 2142 adolescentes de 12 a 18 años de la provincia de Alicante. Se aplicó el Inventario de Conductas de Salud en Escolares. Resultados: Los datos mostraron una tendencia hacia el abandono de hábitos alimentarios saludables a medida que avanza la adolescencia en ambos géneros. Los resultados mostraron hábitos alimentarios similares en chicos y chicas, aunque las adolescentes realizaban, con menos frecuencia, desayunos completos, comidas con un sándwich o bocadillo, meriendas y cenas calientes. Estos datos apuntan a que las chicas tienden a adoptar hábitos alimentarios menos saludables aunque a nivel estadístico estas diferencias no fueron significativas. Sólo se encontraron diferencias de género en el consumo de alimentos insanos, que fue mayor en los chicos, y en la realización de dieta, más frecuente entre las chicas. Respecto al sobrepeso, aproximadamente 1 de cada 4 chicos presentó sobrepeso. Conclusiones: Se observó una tendencia hacia hábitos alimentarios menos sanos a medida que avanza la edad, encontrándose hábitos similares entre chicos y chicas. Estos patrones han de ser tomados en consideración en el desarrollo de los programas de promoción de la salud (AU)

Objective: This study examines the eating habits and overweight, and its differences by gender and age of a representative sample of adolescents in the province of Alicante. Methods: An on-stage cluster sampling was use in order to obtain a sample of 2142 from 12 to 18 years in the province of Alicante representative of their general population. The Inventory of Health Behaviour in Scholars was applied. Results: The data showed a trend towards the abandonment of healthy eating habits while advancing adolescence. The results showed similar eating habits in boys and girls, although girls performed less frequently, full breakfasts, lunches with a sandwich or snack, snacks and hot meals. These data suggest that girls tend to adopt less healthy eating habits although these differences were not statistically significant. Only gender differences were found in the consumption of unhealthy food, which was higher in boys, and implementation of diet, more common among girls. With regard to overweight, about 1 in 4 boys were overweight. Conclusions: There was a tendency towards less health behaviours with advancing age, similar patterns were found between boys and girls. These patterns must be taken into consideration in the development of programs for health promotion (AU)

Eating habits, physical activity, consumption of substances and eating disorders in adolescents.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between adolescents with a high or low risk of developing an eating disorder (ED) in different health behaviors (eating habits, physical activity and the consumption of substances) per gender. The EAT-40 and the Inventory of Behavioral Health in Scholars were applied to 2142 middle school students from Alicante (Spain), of whom 52.8% were girls and 47.2% were boys, with an average age of 13.92 years old (Sd = 1.34). Results indicated that girls with a high risk of developing an ED consumed fewer meals, ate fewer unhealthy foods, followed more diets and paid more attention to nutritional components. Furthermore, they also performed more physical activity with the objective of losing weight, and consumed more tobacco, alcohol and medicines. Boys at high risk of developing an ED followed more diets and paid more attention to nutritional components. For boys, no more differences were found. These results suggest that any program directed at the prevention of ED should not only include nutritional education, but should also seek to promote regular physical activity with objectives other than weight loss or the burning of calories.

Eating habits, physical activity, consumption of substances and eating disorders in adolescents

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between adolescents with a high or low risk of developing an eating disorder (ED) in different health behaviors (eating habits, physical activity and the consumption of substances) per gender. The EAT-40 and the Inventory of Behavioral Health in Scholars were applied to 2142 middle school students from Alicante (Spain), of whom 52.8% were girls and 47.2% were boys, with an average age of 13.92 years old (Sd = 1.34). Results indicated that girls with a high risk of developing an ED consumed fewer meals, ate fewer unhealthy foods, followed more diets and paid more attention to nutritional components. Furthermore, they also performed more physical activity with the objective of losing weight, and consumed more tobacco, alcohol and medicines. Boys at high risk of developing an ED followed more diets and paid more attention to nutritional components. For boys, no more differences were found. These results suggest that any program directed at the prevention of ED should not only include nutritional education, but should also seek to promote regular physical activity with objectives other than weight loss or the burning of calories (AU)

El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar las diferencias entre los adolescentes con mayor y menor riesgo de desarrollar un trastorno de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) en diferentes conductas relacionadas con la salud (hábitos alimentarios, actividad física y consumo de sustancias) por género. Se administró el EAT-40 y el Inventario de Conductas de Salud en Escolares a 2142 adolescentes estudiantes de secundaria de la provincia de Alicante (España), de los que el 52.8% fueron chicas y 47.2% chicos, con una edad media de 13.92 años (Dt = 1.34). Los resultaros indicaron que las chicas con mayor riesgo de desarrollar un TCA realizaban menos comidas, realizaban más dietas y prestaban más atención a los componentes de la alimentación. Además, también realizaban más actividad física con el objetivo de perder peso, y consumían más tabaco, alcohol y medicamentos. Los chicos con mayor riesgo de desarrollar un TCA realizaban más dietas y prestaban más atención a los diferentes componentes de la alimentación. No se encontraron más diferencias en el caso de los chicos. Estos resultados sugieren que cualquier programa dirigido a la prevención de los TCA debe incluir, no sólo educación nutricional, sino también la promoción de la práctica regular de actividad física, con objetivos distintos a la pérdida de peso y a quemar calorías (AU)

Conductas alimentarias de riesgo en una muestra de 2.142 adolescentes / Study of risk of eating disorders in a representative sample of adolescents

Fundamento y objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo fue estimar el porcentaje de adolescentes que presentaban conductas alimentarias de riesgo para el desarrollo de un trastorno de la conducta alimentaria (TCA), analizando las diferencias en función del género, la edad y su índice de masa corporal (IMC).Sujetos y método: Se utilizó una muestra representativa de 2.142 adolescentes (47,2% chicos; 52,8% chicas) de diferentes centros educativos de Alicante. El proceso de cribado se realizó mediante el cuestionario EAT-40, utilizando como punto de corte 30, y se calculó su IMC. Resultados: Un 11,2% de los adolescentes presentó conductas alimentarias de riesgo para el desarrollo de un TCA, de los que un 7,79% fueron chicas y un 3,34% chicos. Los adolescentes de 12 años presentaban puntuaciones superiores en el EAT-40 que el resto de compañeros. Los adolescentes que presentaban conductas alimentarias de riesgo relacionadas con el desarrollo de los TCA tenían un IMC superior al de los que presentaban en menor medida este tipo de conductas. Conclusiones: El porcentaje de chicas con conductas alimentarias de riesgo relacionadas con el desarrollo de los TCA fue inferior al de estudios previos; no ocurrió lo mismo en el caso de los chicos. La edad en la que se manifiestan estas conductas alteradas respecto a la alimentación apoya la necesidad de desarrollar estrategias de prevención en edades tempranas (AU)

Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the percentage of adolescents with risk eating behaviours for developing an eating disorder (ED), analyzing the differences in gender, age and body mass index (BMI). Subject and methods: We used a representative sample of 2,142 adolescents (47.2% boys, 52.8% girls) from different schools in Alicante. The screening procedure was performed using the EAT-40, with a cutoff point of 30, and the BMI was calculated. Results: 11.2% of adolescents presented risk behaviours of developing an ED, 7.79% were girls and 3.34% boys. Adolescents of 12 years had higher scores on the EAT-40 than other classmates. Teenagers with higher risk eating behaviours had a BMI greater than those with lower scores.Conclusions: The percentage of girls who presented more risk eating behaviours was lower than previous studies. The age in which these behaviours are manifested, supports the need to develop prevention strategies at younger ages (AU)

Representación de la Enfermedad, Afrontamiento y Ajuste en los Trastornos Alimentarios / Illness Representation, Coping and Adjustment in Eating Disorders

El objetivo de esta investigación es evaluar la representación de la enfermedad en pacientes con un trastorno alimentario (TA), así como su relación con el afrontamiento y el ajuste, utilizando como marco teórico el Modelo del Sentido Común de Leventhal. Método: Participaron 98 mujeres diagnosticadas de un TA. La media de edad fue 20.8 años (dt=5.61). Para evaluar la representación de la enfermedad se administró la adaptación española para los TA del Cuestionario de Percepción de la Enfermedad Revisado (IPQ-R). Resultados: Respecto a la identidad, los síntomas más señalados fueron la “pérdida de peso” (89.8%) y las “alteraciones en la menstruación” (81.6%). Consideran que su enfermedad tiene una larga duración y serias consecuencias, así como que tienen control y siguiendo un tratamiento es posible su curación. El 21% de la varianza de las estrategias evitativas fue explicado por diferentes dimensiones de la representación de la enfermedad. Se confirman los efectos directos de la representación de la enfermedad sobre el ajuste, pero no los del afrontamiento. Conclusiones: Los resultados apoyan la necesidad de intervenir sobre las creencias que tienen estas pacientes sobre su enfermedad con el fin de mejorar su ajuste psicosocial (AU)

Introduction: Using Leventhal’s Common Sense Model, this paper describes the representation of illness in patients with eating disorders (ED), along with its relationship with coping and adjustment Method: Participants were 98 female eating disorder patients. Mean age was 20.8 (SD=5.61). In order to measure illness representation, the subjects completed the Spanish version of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R). Results: The most frequently experienced symptoms (identity) were “weight loss” (89.8%) and “irregularities in menstruation” (81.6%). ED patients perceived their illness as controllable, treatable, and as a chronic condition with serious consequences. Illness representation variables explained 21% of the variance of avoidance strategy. Results demonstrated that coping did not mediate the link between representation and adjustment. Conclusions: Findings indicate that illness representations of ED patients can have significant implications for their adjustment (AU)

Assesment of social support dimensions in patients with eating disorders.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study is to assess social support dimensions (providers, satisfaction and different support actions) in patients with eating disorders (ED), looking at diagnosis, socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, and self-concept. METHOD: A total of 98 female ED patients were recruited. The ages of participants ranged from 12 to 34 (Mean = 20.8-years-old, SD=5.61). Patients have a primary DSM-IV-R diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (61.2%), bulimia nervosa (27.6%) or an unspecified eating disorder (11.2%). Social support was assessed using the Escala de Apoyo Social Percibido (EASP). This scale measures social support providers, satisfaction and specific social support actions, which can be grouped into informational, emotional and practical support. Self-concept was assessed using the Cuestionario de Autoconcepto (AF-5). RESULTS: The two most frequent providers for these patients were mothers (86.7%) and partners (73.1%). Patients' satisfaction with social support was high and they reported that they received informational support more frequently than emotional and practical support. Family self-concept showed positive relationships with social support dimensions. CONCLUSION: These results show the importance of the family network in connection with these disorders and its relation to self-concept.

Assesment of Social Support Dimensions in Patients with Eating Disorders

The aim of this study is to assess social support dimensions (providers, satisfaction and different support actions) in patients with eating disorders (ED), looking at diagnosis, socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, and self-concept. Method: A total of 98 female ED patients were recruited. The ages of participants ranged from 12 to 34 (Mean=20.8 years old, SD=5.61). Patients have a primary DSM-IV-R diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (61.2%), bulimia nervosa (27.6%) or an unspecified eating disorder (11.2%). Social support was assessed using the Escala de Apoyo Social Percibido (EASP). This scale measures social support providers, satisfaction and specific social support actions, which can be grouped into informational, emotional and practical support. Self-concept was assessed using the Cuestionario de Autoconcepto (AF-5). Results: The two most frequent providers for these patients were mothers (86.7%) and partners (73.1%). Patients’ satisfaction with social support was high and they reported that they received informational support more frequently than emotional and practical support. Family self-concept showed positive relationships with social support dimensions. Conclusion: These results show the importance of the family network in connection with these disorders and its relation to self-concept (AU)

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar las dimensiones del apoyo social (proveedores, satisfacción y tipos de apoyo) en pacientes con un trastorno del comportamiento alimentario (TCA), atendiendo a su diagnóstico, variables sociodemográficas y clínicas, así como a su autoconcepto. Método: Participaron 98 mujeres diagnosticadas de un TCA. La media de edad fue 20.8 años (dt=5.61). Un 61.2% estaban diagnosticadas de anorexia nerviosa, un 27.6% de bulimia y un 11.2% de un TCA no especificado. Para la evaluación del apoyo social se utilizó la Escala de Apoyo Social Percibido (EASP) que evalúa proveedores de apoyo, satisfacción y acciones específicas de apoyo que se agrupan en los diferentes tipos de apoyo; informativo, emocional e instrumental. Para la evaluación del autoconcepto se usó el Cuestionario de Autoconcepto (AF-5). Resultados: Los análisis mostraron que los proveedores de apoyo más frecuentes para las pacientes con un TCA eran su madre (86.7%) y su pareja (73.1%). Presentaron una satisfacción elevada con el apoyo e informaron que recibían más apoyo informativo que instrumental y emocional. El autoconcepto familiar mostró relaciones positivas con las distintas dimensiones del apoyo. Conclusiones: Estos resultados manifiestan la importancia de la red familiar en estos trastornos, así como para el desarrollo de su autoconcepto (AU)

The dissimilarity between patients' and relatives' perception of eating disorders and its relation to patient adjustment.

This study aims to examine the relation between the degree of dissimilarity in patients' and relatives' perception of eating disorders (ED) and patient adjustment. Sixty ED patients and their relatives were interviewed. They completed the Spanish version for ED of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R). Patients who agreed with their relatives that their illness was highly distressful, a chronic condition and with high identity, showed higher psychological distress than patients who did not agree with their relatives. When patients and relatives had fairly positive perceptions of illness controllability and curability, these patients showed lower levels of depression and anxiety.

Afrontamiento y trastornos de la conducta alimentaria: un estudio de revisión / Coping and eating disorders: A review

Se describen las estrategias de afrontamiento que utilizan las pacientes con TCA, y su relación con otras variables psicosociales, valorando sus efectos sobre la salud. Se revisaron losestudios empíricos sobre afrontamiento y variables psicosociales y clínicas en los TCA en los últimos 20 años, utilizando las bases de datos: Psyclit, Medline, Psicodoc, IME e ISOC,combinando por pares el descriptor de afrontamiento con los seleccionados para la muestra de estudio. Los resultados sugieren que estas pacientes utilizan estrategias evitativas y centradas en la emoción, y en menor medida estrategias aproximativas y centradas en el problema. Estetipo de afrontamiento también es característico de las mujeres con mayor riesgo para desarrollar el trastorno. Las estrategias evitativas y centradas en la emoción se relacionan en estas pacientes con una peor adaptación psicosocial, mientras que las aproximativas y centradas en elproblema, lo hacen en sentido contrario.

We reviewed the role of coping in eating disorders, and the relation of this concept with other psychosocial variables. We reviewed the empirical studies published in the last 20 years about coping and psychosocial and clinical variables in eating disorders using Psyclit, Medline, Psicodoc, IME and ISOC. The results suggest that eating disorders patients make more use of avoidance and emotion oriented coping, and are less likely to respond with active attempts to solve or problem-oriented coping mechanism, than subjects without the disorder. This type of coping is also more frequently used by women with higher tendency to develop an eating disorder. Avoidance and emotion-oriented coping are associated with poorer psychosocialadaptation, whereas active and problem-oriented coping are associated with better health outcomes in these patients.

Illness perception in eating disorders and psychosocial adaptation.

OBJECTIVE: The current study is based on the framework of the Self-Regulatory Model of Illness (SRM). The aim of this work was to examine perception of illness in eating disorder (ED) patients and investigate whether illness perception is related to psychosocial adaptation in these patients. METHOD: A total of 98 female ED patients completed the specific eating disorders Spanish version of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) and a range of adjustment variables including the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). RESULTS: ED patients reported a moderate number of physical symptoms, and perceived their illness as controllable, treatable, highly distressing, as a chronic condition and with serious consequences. Emotional representation was the most significant dimension related to emotional adjustment. Illness identity and cure dimensions were the most significant dimensions associated with psychosocial adaptation. CONCLUSION: This study shows that patients' illness perceptions are related to illness adaptation. Illness identity was associated with emotional and psychosocial adjustment, and having faith that treatment may control the illness was related to positive benefits for ED. These results suggest that a psychological intervention, which addresses patients' illness representations, may assist in their adjustment to ED.