Approach and avoidance: Relations with the thin body ideal in women with disordered eating behavior.
Judith Leins, Manuel Waldorf, Ines Kollei, Mike Rinck, Sabine Steins-Loeber
Author Information
Judith Leins: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany. Electronic address: judith.leins@uni-bamberg.de.
Manuel Waldorf: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany.
Ines Kollei: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany.
Mike Rinck: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Sabine Steins-Loeber: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany.
Recent research suggests that automatic cognitive biases are linked to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behavior. However, little is known about automatic action tendencies in the field of body image research. The aim of the present study was to examine approach and avoidance biases toward the thin body ideal and normal weight bodies and whether these are pronounced in individuals showing disordered eating behavior. Participants were divided into a group with disordered eating behavior (n = 55) and without disordered eating behavior (n = 45). To assess approach and avoidance tendencies, the Approach-Avoidance Task was used during which the Participants were instructed to approach or avoid thin and normal weight body pictures. Our results indicated faster push than pull movements towards thin and normal weight body pictures. However, Participants with and without disordered eating behavior did not differ with regard to their reactions. Furthermore, we found positive associations between the avoidance of normal weight body pictures and perceived pressure to confirm to media ideals. Future research is warranted to replicate our findings and to extend our knowledge on approach and avoidance biases toward body pictures in patients suffering from eating disorders.
