Eating disorders, normative eating self-efficacy and body image self-efficacy: women in recovery homes

Although eating disorders (EDs) and ED symptoms are common among individuals in recovery for substance abuse (SA), long-term SA treatment programmes rarely address these problems. The present study examined the prevalence of EDs among women residing in Oxford Houses--low-cost, self-governed recovery homes for SA. Further, among women both with and without an ED diagnosis, the association between duration of Oxford House residency and eating-related self-efficacy scores was examined as an indicator of potential treatment effects on ED symptoms. During a telephone assessment, participants were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders and the Eating Disorder Recovery Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Results indicated that 12 of the 31 women analysed met criteria for an ED (bulimia nervosa, 2; ED not otherwise specified, 10). Differential findings were evident for eating-related self-efficacy measures depending on ED diagnostic status and duration of residency. Potential interpretations, limitations and implications are discussed.