Shame and eating disorders symptoms: A meta‐analysis

Abstract

Objective: Numerous empirical studies and theoretical models posit that shame is a common experience among individuals across the eating disorder spectrum. In this study we aim to investigate the association between shame and eating disorders symptoms using a meta-analytical approach.Method: In this meta-analysis, we synthesized findings from 195 studies to examine the proposed association between shame and eating disorders symptoms. We looked at the associations with both general eating disorders symptoms and with specific eating disorders symptoms (i.e., anorexic, bulimic, and binge-eating symptoms). Moderation analyses testing for the effect of type of shame, type of eating symptoms, clinical status, quality of the study, age, and gender were conducted.Results: Shame was significantly associated with a medium to large effect size with all types of eating disorders symptoms (rs between .40 and .52). Body shame (r = .55) and shame around eating (r = .59) were more strongly related with eating disorders pathology. Type of eating disorders symptoms did not moderate the relationship between shame and disturbed eating.Discussion: Overall, the magnitude of the effect size of the association between shame and eating disorders symptoms is a medium to large one. Body shame and shame around eating seem to be the types of shame most closely tied with eating disorders symptoms, suggesting that directly targeting them in interventions might be highly beneficial. Findings highlight current gaps in the literature (e.g., mostly correlational studies, low quality studies) with implications for future research. ResumenObjetivo: Numerosos estudios empíricos y modelos te oricos postulan que la vergüenza es una experiencia común entre las personas en todo el espectro de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria. En este estudio pretendemos investigar la asociaci on entre la vergüenza y los síntomas de los trastornos alimentarios utilizando un enfoque meta-analítico.Método: En este metanálisis, se sintetizaron los hallazgos de 195 estudios para examinar la asociaci on propuesta entre los síntomas de la vergüenza y los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria. Revisamos las asociaciones tanto con síntomas generales de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria y con los síntomas específicos de los trastornos alimentarios (por ejemplo, síntomas de anorexia, bulimia y de atrac on). Se realizaron análisis de moderaci on que analizaron el efecto del tipo de vergüenza, el

Eating disorder psychopathology and negative affect in Iranian college students: a network analysis

“…However, engaging in ED behaviors to cope with shame may eventually increase shame (e.g., regarding eating, shape and weight), setting up a vicious cycle [ 52 ]. Overall, our findings and those of others suggest that shame may have an important role in initiating ED psychopathology [ 26 , 27 , 29 , 70 , 73 , 74 ].…”

Exploring the Experiences of People who Engage with Pro-eating Disorder Online Media: A Qualitative Inquiry

“…The themes of feeling misunderstood and having poor treatment experiences are consistent with other studies of international populations (Ma et al, 2021). These findings suggest that the consistency of these problems may need to be mitigated on a global level among intentional targeting through international associations (Nechita et al, 2021 ).…”

Enriching sociocultural perspectives on the effects of idealized body norms: Integrating shame, positive body image, and self-compassion

“…Both body shame and general shame have been linked to eating disorders (e.g., Goss and Allan, 2009;Troop and Redshaw, 2012), body image disturbance (e.g., Duarte et al, 2015), and eating behaviors (e.g., Swan and Andrews, 2003). Indeed, a recent meta-analysis (Nechita et al, 2021) concluded that general shame, and body and eating shame in particular, are significantly positively associated with eating disorder symptoms. Most research studies in this area are cross-sectional, and thus further study of the link between different forms of shame (e.g., external, internal, body-focused, eating focused) and their impact on different types of eating disorder symptoms (e.g., dietary restriction, binge eating) using robust methods (e.g., longitudinal methods, ecological momentary assessment) is warranted (Nechita et al, 2021).…”

“…Indeed, a recent meta-analysis (Nechita et al, 2021) concluded that general shame, and body and eating shame in particular, are significantly positively associated with eating disorder symptoms. Most research studies in this area are cross-sectional, and thus further study of the link between different forms of shame (e.g., external, internal, body-focused, eating focused) and their impact on different types of eating disorder symptoms (e.g., dietary restriction, binge eating) using robust methods (e.g., longitudinal methods, ecological momentary assessment) is warranted (Nechita et al, 2021). In service of furthering research in this area, a number of shame measures are currently available in the literature.…”