Examination of Mentalization Ability in Eating Disorders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Examination of Mentalization Ability in Individuals with Eating Disorders
IRAS ID
218576
Contact name
Paul Robinson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
BARNET ENFIELD AND HARINGEY MENTAL HEALTH TRUST
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Eating disorders are difficult and highly costly conditions to treat. The psychological variables responsible for the occurrence of such disorders are still not fully understood. To address this issue, the proposed study will analyze some of the main psychological characteristics involved in eating disorders. In turn, a comprehensive understanding of such characteristics might be pivotal in designing more effective treatments specific for this population of patients. \n\nIn particular, the focus of the study will be placed on mentalization abilities. Mentalization is defined as the capacity to reflect upon one’s own and other’s mental states in terms of thoughts and feelings. Deficits in mentalization appear as plausible explanations for the onset and maintenance of eating disorders. In order to test this hypothesis, the study will compare mentalization abilities in a sample of eating disorder patients and a sample of healthy controls. Moreover, eating disorder patients will be additionally tested for the presence of comorbid Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms. Such disorders, indeed, has been largely proven to be characterized by poor mentalization abilities. Such measures will allow disentangling whether deficits in mentalizing can be related to disordered eating behaviors or are better explained as the result of a comorbid borderline symptomatology. \n\nThe clinical sample will consist of individuals with a primary diagnosis of an eating disorder recruited from the Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust. The healthy control sample will include participants recruited from University College London, as well as from the community. Mentalization and borderline symptoms will be assessed by means of questionnaires and interviews. Testing will be conducted at the St. Ann’s hospital. All participants will be assessed at one-time point only. The total duration of the examination will range between 2 and a half and 3 hours.\n
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/2165
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion