Selective processing of eating disorder relevant stimuli: does the Stroop Test provide an objective measure of bulimia nervosa?

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the specificity of the modified Stroop test as an objective measure of bulimia nervosa. METHOD: A modified Stroop Test was administered to patients with bulimia nervosa and two non-clinical control groups of restrained and unrestrained eaters. RESULTS: The data failed to show any specificity in the Stroop effect. Nor did the test provide a useful measure of treatment response. DISCUSSION: Taken in conjunction with previous inconsistent findings, the results of this study call into question the utility of the modified Stroop effect as a specific measure of bulimia nervosa.