Level of Mindfulness in Persons with Anorexia Nervosa Entering Residential Treatment and the Relationship with Eating Disorder Symptomology and Clinical Indicators of Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric disorder associated with extensive medical and psychological comorbidities and limited treatment options. Mindfulness may enhance physical and psychological wellness but research on its usefulness in AN in limited. Foundational research is needed in this field to enhance the science and support the continued use of such practices. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent levels of mindfulness correlate with eating disorder symptomology and other clinical indicators of health in persons with AN entering residential treatment. Furthermore, this study assessed for unique variance in eating disorder symptomology that is accounted for by mindfulness and other clinical indicators of health. METHODS: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted. Sixty female, individuals diagnosed with AN were recruited to complete a confidential, web-based, 87-question survey upon admission a residential treatment facility in the Greater Boston area. Additional data from the participants’ charts were also collected. Data were analyzed using simple linear regression and stepwise multiple regression in SPSS. RESULTS: Mindfulness was significantly, inversely correlated with eating disorder symptoms. This relationship appeared to be particularly strong among individuals with AN, and particularly AN BP compared to individuals with OSFED AA. Among the entire sample, mindfulness significantly and inversely predicted shape concern and weight concern but not eating concern or restraint. When considering clinical indicators of health and certain demographic variables, mindfulness did not contribute any unique variance in eating disorder symptoms based on stepwise regression. Only anxiety and pain significantly predicted eating disorder symptoms among this sample. CONCLUSIONS: Level of mindfulness may be related to eating disorder symptomology in acute AN. Future research should explore this pattern over time and across different levels of care and determine what, if any, impact baseline levels of mindfulness and change over time have on eating disorder outcomes. Additional research should examine the mechanisms of actions of mindfulness and variance between subtypes of AN. The role of pain and anxiety on eating disorder symptomology and mediating or moderating effects of mindfulness should also be studied.