Shame and anorexia 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A grounded theory study into the relationship between shame, perfectionism and anorexia nervosa
IRAS ID
242069
Contact name
John Fox
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
Perfectionism has long been established as being one of the core processes in the maintenance of eating disorders, and as being a risk factor for developing an eating disorder. Cognitive behavioural therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E) is currently the most established treatment for this population. CBT-E has an optional module on perfectionism, which targets this directly. Shame and self-criticism have also been found to be elevated in individuals experiencing an eating disorder, but these are not currently addressed in standard CBT-E. Some theories suggest that perfectionism arises from people trying to mitigate their feelings of shame, and therefore suggest that shame is the underlying core process rather than perfectionism. CBT-E is effective in achieving clinically significant improvements in around 50% of clients, so improvements in interventions are needed. A better understanding of which factors are most associated with eating disorders (i.e. shame or perfectionism) could help refine current psychological treatments to target the most important maintaining factors.
This study aims to further explore this relationship between shame, perfectionism and eating disorders. The study will use a grounded theory design to interview 10-15 participants with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. They will be asked about their experiences of shame and perfectionism, and how they think these relate to their eating disorder. In line with grounded theory methodology, data will be transcribed and analysed during the data collection and the interview schedule will adapt according to the emerging themes in the data. This data will then be collated and hopefully a coherent theory about the role of shame and perfectionism in eating disorders will emerge.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SW/0154
Date of REC Opinion
30 Aug 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion