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Desirable possible selves and depression in adult women with eating disorders

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Abstract

Purpose

Possible selves are conceptions of our selves in future states. Previous findings indicated that women with anorexia nervosa tended to have more negative possible selves than a control group, even when rating future situations normally regarded in our society as desirable. The present study investigated whether this was a general pattern in women with eating disorders, relating findings on possible selves to depression. Possible selves concerning treatment were also included.

Methods

Patients with anorexia nervosa (n = 19), bulimia nervosa (n = 29) or an eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) (n = 18) and a control group (n = 27) rated the valence of five possible selves on Likert’s scales. Levels of depression were measured among the patients using the Beck Depression Inventory.

Results

The patients rated the valence of the possible selves significantly less positively and more negatively than did the control group. A strong correlation between valence and depression was found in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. No such correlation was found in patients with EDNOS. Possible selves concerning future treatment were rated even more negatively.

Conclusions

The results indicate that, when compared to a non-patient group, eating disorder patients make more negative evaluations of possible selves usually seen as desirable. Depression may be a mediating factor in these evaluations for the anorexia and bulimia patients.

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Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education and Behavioural Sciences, University of Borås, SE-501 90, Borås, Sweden

    Martin G. Erikson

  2. The Anorexia and Bulimia Clinic for Adults, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Olskroksgatan 30, SE-416 66, Göteborg, Sweden

    Berit Hansson & Suzanna Lundblad

Authors
  1. Martin G. Erikson
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  2. Berit Hansson
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  3. Suzanna Lundblad
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martin G. Erikson.

Additional information

PsycINFO classification: 3260 Eating Disorders.

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Erikson, M.G., Hansson, B. & Lundblad, S. Desirable possible selves and depression in adult women with eating disorders. Eat Weight Disord 19, 145–151 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-014-0122-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-014-0122-7

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