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Bulimia nervosa shows a marked tendency to persist, suggesting that powerful maintaining mechanisms operate. Using data from a prospective, 5-year, study of the natural course of 102 people with bulimia nervosa, the authors sought to identify predictors of persistence and to test specific hypotheses derived from the cognitive-behavioral theory of the persistence of bulimia nervosa. The results of both sets of analyses were consistent with the theory, with the degree of overevaluation of shape and weight and a history of childhood obesity predicting a persistent course. There was also support for the central prediction of the cognitive-behavioral theory. These findings suggest that the mechanisms specified by the theory influence its longer term natural course.

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Consult Clin Psychol

Publication Date

02/2003

Volume

71

Pages

103 - 109

Keywords

Adult, Attitude to Health, Bulimia, Case-Control Studies, Cognitive Therapy, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Prospective Studies, Severity of Illness Index