A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Readiness and Motivation for Change Among Young Women With Broadly Defined Eating Disorders
Authors: Monica Ålgars, Carin Ramberg, Josefine Moszny, Jessica Hagman, Hanna Rintala, Pekka Santtila
Publisher: Routledge
Publication year: 2015
Journal: Eating Disorders
Journal name in source: EATING DISORDERS
Journal acronym: EAT DISORD
Volume: 23
Issue: 3
First page : 242
Last page: 252
Number of pages: 11
ISSN: 1064-0266
eISSN: 1532-530X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2014.1000100
Readiness and motivation for change were examined in 32 women with broadly defined eating disorders who took part in a 10-week Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based group intervention. Readiness for change and eating disorder psychopathology were assessed before and after the intervention. The results revealed significant negative associations between degree of eating disorder symptoms and degree of readiness for change before the intervention started. In particular, higher levels of eating concern, shape concern, and body dissatisfaction were associated with lower motivation for change. No significant associations between degree of readiness for change before the intervention started and changes in eating disorder symptoms at the end of intervention were found. Readiness for change increased from the beginning to the end of the intervention, indicating that group CBT may be a cost-effective and time-efficient way of enhancing readiness and motivation for change in individuals with eating psychopathology.