Can self-concept clarity enhance understanding of eating disorders 0.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is Self-concept clarity a mediating factor between body image dissatisfaction and restrictive eating disorder symptomology?
IRAS ID
319682
Contact name
Bill Sellwood
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study will investigate the relationships between experiences of body image dissatisfaction and restrictive eating disorder symptoms. It will explore whether or not a person’s understanding of who they are, their beliefs and values (also known as Self-concept clarity or SCC), influences the likelihood that body image dissatisfaction will lead to the development of restrictive eating disorder symptoms. Eating disorders are among the most persistent and chronic mental health difficulties, characterised by a fixation with body shape, weight and disordered eating behaviour to achieve the desired body shape or to cope with difficult situations or feelings. The emotional and physical consequences of these beliefs and behaviours maintain these unhelpful patterns and result in a high mortality rate from malnutrition, suicide and physical issues. Body image dissatisfaction is a common experience, and self-concept clarity might influence how or if being dissatisfied with one’s body leads to beliefs and behaviours thought to be indicative of an eating disorder.
Eligible participants are adults who self-identify as having a restrictive eating disorder. The study will recruit participants from Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Eating disorder services. Clinicians within the services will ask clients if they are interested in participating in the research, and clients who have been assessed and are currently on the treatment waiting list, will also be sent information about the study via letter or email. The study will also recruit via Twitter, Reddit and with permission, online support platforms and forums.
Data collected will be used to explore the relationships between body image dissatisfaction, the development of restrictive eating disorder symptoms and whether or not self-concept clarity influences this. Should self-concept clarity be found to influence this relationship, it could have meaningful implications for psychological interventions which focus on increasing self-concept clarity in people with restrictive eating disorders.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
23/NI/0019
Date of REC Opinion
21 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion