Mindfulness and its relationship with eating disorders symptomatology in women receiving residential treatment

Abstract

Objective: Mindfulness and its related constructs (e.g., awareness and acceptance) are increasingly being recognized as relevant to understanding eating disorders and improving treatment. The purpose of this study was to (1) examine the relationship between mindfulness and ED symptomatology at baseline and (2) examine how changes in mindfulness relate to change in ED symptomatology.

Method: Measures of mindfulness and ED symptomatology were administered to 88 patients upon admission to residential ED treatment and at discharge.

Results: Baseline ED symptomatology was associated with lower awareness, acceptance, and cognitive defusion, and higher emotional avoidance. Improvements in these variables were related to improvement in ED symptomatology.

Discussion: Interventions targeting mindfulness could be beneficial for patients with EDs.