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A pilot study exploring Machiavellianism in anorexia nervosa
1Section of Eating Disorders, Division of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London SE58AF, UK.
Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD
|November 18, 2008
Summary
Machiavellianism, a personality trait involving manipulation, was explored in women with Anorexia Nervosa (AN). While AN patients and healthy controls (HCs) did not differ, both groups exhibited high levels of this trait.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Machiavellianism involves social-cognitive processes for intention identification and deception.
- Individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) often employ deceptive strategies to conceal their condition.
- Systematic exploration of Machiavellianism in eating disorders is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Machiavellianism levels in female patients diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa (AN).
- To compare Machiavellianism in AN patients versus healthy female controls (HCs).
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted with 22 female AN patients and 41 female HCs.
- Self-reported Machiavellianism was assessed in both groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in self-reported Machiavellianism were found between AN patients and HCs.
- Both AN patients and HCs scored highly on the Machiavellianism scale.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest elevated Machiavellianism may be a general trait, not specific to AN.
- Further research is needed to understand the implications of high Machiavellianism in AN and its potential role in disorder concealment.
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