Cognitive Fusion in eating-related difficulties – a cultural focus

Abstract

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) theorises that it is the way one relates to their thoughts that causes them to become problematic. The ability to accept or respond to thoughts in accordance with one’s values reflects psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility is established by six core processes, one of these – Cognitive Fusion (CF) has been associated with eating disorders (EDs).
Chapter 1 sets CF within the context of an evidence base criticised for its inattention towards the mechanisms that may underpin the subjective and nuanced experience of it. It clarifies the aims of chapter 2, which is a systematic review identifying themes in studies that have explored factors associated with CF in eating-related difficulties. Data was collected from four databases and 31 studies. Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) identified nine factors that were associated with CF in eating-related difficulties, including sociocultural identity. Chapter 3 is a quantitative analysis of relationships between CF, body image-related CF, body checking, religious commitment, hijab (veiling) practice and ED psychopathology using self-report data collected from 108 Muslim women. Hierarchical linear regression was used to enter variables into distinct blocks to assess their contribution to the model’s explanation of ED psychopathology. Veiling was significant in its association with lower ED psychopathology when considered alongside religious commitment. When CF variables and body checking were added to the model, veiling became non-significant, and the additional variables held more predictive power in explaining ED psychopathology. Clinical implications and the future direction of research are discussed.

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ORCID for Katy Sivyer: orcid.org/0000-0003-4349-0102

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