Investigating the Theory of Clinical Perfectionism in a Transdiagnostic Eating Disorder Sample Using Network Analysis

Behav Ther. 2024 Jan;55(1):14-25. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2023.05.001. Epub 2023 May 12.ABSTRACTEating disorders are deadly psychiatric illnesses, with treatments working for less than half of individuals who seek treatment. The transdiagnostic theory of eating disorders proposes that eating disorders share similar maintaining symptoms, such as what this theory calls clinical perfectionism (i.e., high levels of concern over mistakes and personal standards). However, it has been difficult to examine the interrelationship of specific aspects of perfectionism, beyond assessing moderation effects, which have generally not found support for the theory of clinical perfectionism in eating disorders. Thus, we used network analysis to test the theory of perfectionism by testing the interrelationships between maladaptive perfectionism facets (concern over mistakes, personal standards, parental criticism, parental expectations, and personal standards) and eating disorder symptoms in 397 individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder. Concern over mistakes was a central symptom and demonstrated the strongest interrelationships with eating disorder symptoms compared to the other aspects of perfectionism, connecting to eating concerns and cognitive restraint. Objective binge eating had a strong negative connection to personal standards. We identified specific central symptoms and illness pathways of perfectionism, which partially supports the theory of clinical perfectionism. Results, if replic...
Source: Behavior Therapy - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Source Type: research