Schema avoidance in bulimic and non-eating-disordered women.

OBJECTIVE: Models of bulimia lack a clear conceptualization of avoidance. This study considers the role of different domains of schema avoidance in bulimic disorders and examines the association of scores on the Young-Rygh Avoidance Inventory (YRAI) with bulimic pathology. METHODS: A total of 19 bulimic and 74 comparison women completed the YRAI and a measure of bulimic psychopathology. RESULTS: Bulimics scored significantly higher than the nonclinical women did on all YRAI scales. Greater reported use of avoidance was positively associated with bulimic attitudes, but only among the comparison group. At a dimensional level, behavioral/somatic avoidance was more strongly associated with bulimic pathology than cognitive/emotional avoidance, but the same was not true when differentiating groups. CONCLUSIONS: The YRAI is a robust measure of different domains of schema avoidance in understanding bulimic psychopathology. Clinically, the YRAI might be used to guide treatment for bulimic disorders.