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The abstinence violation effect in bulimia nervosa
T Ward1, S M Hudson, C M Bulik
1Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Addictive Behaviors
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Bulimia nervosa relapse is understood through cognitive processes in the binge/purge cycle. Attributions are key to the lapse-relapse transition in this chronic eating disorder.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Eating Disorders
Background:
- Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by a chronic and relapsing course.
- Understanding relapse is crucial for effective BN treatment.
- Cognitive factors play a significant role in the maintenance of BN behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine cognitive processes underlying the binge/purge cycle in bulimia nervosa.
- To reformulate the abstinence violation effect (AVE) model with a focus on attributions for BN relapse.
- To apply this reformulated model to the lapse-relapse transition in BN.
Main Methods:
- Review and theoretical analysis of cognitive processes in BN.
- Reformulation of the abstinence violation effect (AVE) model.
- Application of the reformulated AVE to understanding relapse in BN.
Main Results:
- Cognitive processes, particularly attributions, are central to the binge/purge cycle in BN.
- A reformulated AVE model, emphasizing attributions, explains the transition from lapse to relapse in BN.
- This model offers a new perspective on the chronicity of bulimia nervosa.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive attributions are critical in understanding and potentially preventing relapse in bulimia nervosa.
- The reformulated AVE model provides a theoretical framework for clinical interventions targeting relapse in BN.
- Further research should explore the clinical utility of this attribution-focused model in BN treatment.