A randomized trial of a dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program

As psychoeducational eating disorder prevention programs have not been shown to reduce bulimic pathology, we developed and evaluated a dissonance-based intervention for high-risk populations.

Young women (N = 87) with body image concerns were randomized to this intervention, which involves verbal, written, and behavioral exercises requiring them to critique the thin-ideal, or to a healthy weight management control group. Participants completed a baseline, termination, and 4-week follow-up survey.

Participants in the dissonance intervention reported decreased thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, dieting, negative affect, and bulimic symptoms at termination and at 4-week follow-up. Unexpectedly, participants in the healthy weight management control group also reported some benefits.

Taken in conjunction with past findings, these preliminary results suggest that the dissonance intervention, and to a lesser extent the healthy weight management intervention, may reduce bulimic pathology and risk factors for eating disturbances.