A rational emotive behavior therapy-based intervention for binge eating behavior management among female students: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Background Binge eating behavior is highly likely to progress to an eating disorder, with female students particularly at risk. Objective This study aimed to verify the effect of a binge eating behavior management program, based on rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), on binge eating behavior and related cognitive and emotional factors among female college students. Method The study, conducted from November 1 to December 2, 2016, involved a pretest-posttest design and nonequivalent control group. The sample included 24 and 22 first- to third-year students, from a college in South Korea, in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Data were collected using self-esteem, covert narcissism, perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression, and binge eating scales and analyzed via frequency analysis, χ2 tests, t tests, and analysis of covariance. Results The results indicated that the REBT-based binge eating behavior management program exerted positive effects on participants’ self-esteem, reducing covert narcissism, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression, and binge eating. However, there was no significant difference in perfectionism, although the experimental group’s mean score decreased from pretest to posttest. Conclusions Based on the results, the program was considered to be effective, and is expected to be useful in preventing the development of eating disorders among female college students by treating binge eating behavior and related cognitive and emotional factors. This intervention could ultimately contribute to the improvement of female college students’ health and quality of life.

Effects of Kegel exercise combined with rational emotive behavior therapy on pelvic floor muscle function and sexual life quality in patients with total hysterectomy: A retrospective study

“…[19] In addition, REBT could contribute to the improvement of female college students' health and quality of life. [20] Female sexual function is significantly correlated with age, hysterectomy and mental health, and the level of sexual quality depends on physiological, psychological and social factors. [21] We found that, compared with preoperative levels, the postoperative total FSFI score and scores of all dimensions were lower, indicating that total hysterectomy significantly affected the sexual life quality.…”

“…[ 19 ] In addition, REBT could contribute to the improvement of female college students’ health and quality of life. [ 20 ]…”

Prevalence and associated factors of binge eating disorder among Bahraini youth and young adults: a cross-sectional study in a self-selected convenience sample

“…BED is known to be more prevalent in women than in men [ 9 ]. Low self-esteem linked with body image is a well-established risk factor predicting the potentiality of BED in women than in men [ 10 ]. In particular, the likelihood of women having body image dissatisfaction, low self-esteem and perfectionism is higher than that of males.…”

Application of rational emotive behavior therapy in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy

“…Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is a form of CBT that is an effective psychological behavior intervention that uses professional communication and guidance to help people overcome their irrational beliefs and accompanying symptoms [ 11 , 12 ]. It was reported that REBT intervention could efficiently relieve unhealthy behavior or anxiety in college students and improve overall health [ 13 , 14 ].…”