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Published on: May 10, 2022
Maladaptive schemas in adolescent females with anorexia nervosa and implications for treatment
Stephanie R Damiano1, John Reece2, Sophie Reid3
1Discipline of Psychology, RMIT University, Bundoora 3083, Australia; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville 3052, Australia; School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia.
Abstract:
Recent research has highlighted the presence of Young's Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMSs) in individuals with an eating disorder (ED). This study assessed the EMSs reported by adolescent females with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) compared with a community group. Thirty-six adolescent females diagnosed with AN or subthreshold AN and 111 female secondary school students completed a questionnaire that included the Young Schema Questionnaire, the Behavior Assessment System for Children Self-report of Personality, and the Eating Disorder Screen for Primary Care. Two independent AN subtypes and two community subtypes were derived from responses to the questionnaire, and significant differences between the four comparison groups were found. High Pathology AN participants reported the highest level of psychological maladjustment. Social Isolation and Emotional Inhibition appeared to be most characteristic of adolescent AN in this sample. The results suggest that EMSs may require attention in the treatment of AN in adolescent females, and that different AN subtypes may require individualized treatment approaches.
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