An investigation of the role of thought-shape fusion in disordered eating

Abstract

A literature review presents research investigating the role of thought-shape fusion (TSF) in eating disorder psychopathology. As TSF is a relatively new area of research, reviewing literature at this stage aimed to identify methodological issues, directions for future research, and clinical implications of findings, to aid progression of research and treatments for those with eating disorders. Literature was discussed in relation to criteria set out by Shafran et al. (1999) to determine whether a cognitive distortion plays a role in a psychopathological disorder. Evidence suggests TSF does have a role to play, as it was associated with eating disorder psychopathology and experimental manipulation of the construct increased feelings of fatness, moral wrongdoing, urges to carry out neutralising behaviours, anxiety, and guilt, in clinical and non-clinical samples, which are key maintaining factors of eating disorder psychopathology (Fairburn et al., 2003). However, it was unclear from the literature whether perceived likelihood of weight gain also increased. Research is yet to investigate whether a reduction in TSF leads to a reduction in disordered eating, and the role of other factors (such as thought control strategies) in TSF and disordered eating behaviours. The empirical study investigated whether TSF and thought suppression led to more disordered eating in a university sample. Questionnaires measuring TSF, thought suppression, and disordered eating behaviours, were completed online by 355 participants. The findings showed TSF had a significant main effect on all disordered eating behaviours measured, apart from purging. Thought suppression had a main effect on binge-eating behaviours and global eating disorder psychopathology only. Thought suppression was also found to add to the effects of TSF on disordered eating behaviours, but no significant interaction effects emerged. Future research is needed to determine whether similar findings exist in a clinical sample.

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ORCID for Catherine Brignell: orcid.org/0000-0001-7768-6272

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