Effect of ImRs inducing Self-compassion and Self-mastery in individuals at risk of developing an Eating Disorder

Abstract

At least 41% percent of the people with a eating disorder have already relapsed a year after treatment. Current research focusses on targeting traumatic memories. These are believed to build the foundation of negative core-beliefs which are related to limited treatment effects. In the present study, it is examined whether there is a moderating effect of amount of self- compassion and self-mastery on the effect of Imagery rescripting (ImRs) inducing self-mastery and self- compassion. This serves the goal of improving treatment effects in people with eating disorder symptoms. Participants were randomly assigned to ImRs inducing either self-mastery or self-compassion. The Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Eating Disorder Beliefs (EDBQ) questionnaire were used to measure the change in eating disorder symptoms and core-beliefs. The sense of mastery scale and self-compassion scale were used to measure the amount of self-mastery and self-compassion. Results show that both ImRs interventions are effective. There is a moderating effect of level of self-compassion on decreased eating disorder symptoms after ImRS inducing compassion. Further research should focus on treatments. Key words ImRS, eating disorder, self-mastery, self-compassion, core-beliefs