Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
08:42
Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
11.3K
When thought suppression backfires: its moderator effect on eating psychopathology
Cláudia Ferreira1, Lara Palmeira, Inês A Trindade
1Cognitive and Behavioral Research Center, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD
|February 10, 2015
Summary
Thought suppression, an attempt to avoid unwanted thoughts, paradoxically increases their accessibility. This study found that thought suppression amplifies the link between negative body image and eating psychopathology in young women.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychopathology
Background:
- Thought suppression is a form of experiential avoidance linked to psychopathology.
- Its role in eating psychopathology is not well understood.
- Unwanted internal experiences, like negative body image, are common.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the moderating effect of thought suppression.
- To examine associations between body image concerns and eating psychopathology.
- To explore these relationships in a sample of female students.
Main Methods:
- Correlational analyses were conducted.
- Moderation analyses were performed on two models.
- The study included 211 female students.
Main Results:
- Thought suppression correlated with psychological inflexibility and eating disorder risk factors.
- Thought suppression amplified the impact of unfavorable social comparisons on disordered eating.
- Thought suppression amplified the impact of body image dissatisfaction on disordered eating.
Conclusions:
- Thought suppression plays a key role in eating psychopathology.
- Higher thought suppression exacerbates the effects of negative body image on disordered eating.
- Findings have significant clinical implications for treating eating disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Self-Regulation
344
Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
344
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
830
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
830
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
1.2K
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
1.2K
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
19.1K
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
19.1K
01:30Regulation of Food Intake
3.2K
Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
3.2K
01:31Confirmation Biases
8.6K
The confirmation bias is the tendency to focus on information that confirms our existing beliefs and ignore information that is inconsistent with our expectations. For example, if you think that your professor is not very nice, you notice all of the instances of rude behavior exhibited by the professor while ignoring the countless pleasant interactions he is involved in on a daily basis. Have you ever fallen prey to the confirmation bias, either as the source or target of such bias?
8.6K