Citation

Vansteenkiste M, Claes L, Soenens B, Verstuyf J. Eur. Eat. Disord. Rev. 2013; 21(3): 209-214.

Affiliation

Ghent University, Belgium.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/erv.2215

PMID

23203947

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The presence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in eating-disordered (ED) patients is considered a complicating factor in treatment with a possibly adverse influence on patients' motivation to change. Using Self-Determination Theory as a guiding framework, we compared ED patients with and without NSSI in terms of their well-being and their motives to undertake psychotherapeutic change. METHOD: Data were collected in a sample of 95 ED patients, including 37 patients displaying at least some type of NSSI. RESULTS: Patients with NSSI, relative to those without, felt more externally pressured to undertake change and reported lower overall well-being. Mean level differences in well-being between both patient groups were fully accounted for by patients' externally pressuring motives for pursuing change. DISCUSSION: In ED patients with NSSI, there is an important link between their more externally driven motivation to change and their lowered psychological well-being. It is discussed how clinicians can approach these patients to pursue change. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Language: en