Evaluation of an Intervention Targeting Both Depressive and Bulimic Pathology: A Randomized Prevention Trial

Abstract

Because depressive and bulimic pathologies often co-occur among adolescent girls, a preventive program focusing on both disturbances would have clinical utility. Thus, we developed a cognitive-behavioral intervention targeting body dissatisfaction, an established risk factor for both conditions. A randomized prevention trial with late adolescent girls suggested that the intervention reduced body dissatisfaction, negative affect, depressive symptoms, and bulimic symptoms, but not dieting. Effects persisted through 3-month follow-up, but most faded by 6-month follow-up. Intervention effects on negative affect, depressive symptoms, and bulimic symptoms appeared to be mediated by change in body dissatisfaction. Participant age, ethnicity, and body mass did not moderate intervention effects. Results suggest that an intervention that improves body satisfaction might reduce depressive and bulimic symptoms but imply that greater emphasis on preventing future symptoms might be necessary for persistent effects.