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Review
. 2020 Jun;53(6):834-851.
doi: 10.1002/eat.23247. Epub 2020 Feb 25.

Mindfulness and eating disorder psychopathology: A meta-analysis

Margarita Sala  1 , Shruti Shankar Ram  2 , Irina A Vanzhula  2 , Cheri A Levinson  2
Affiliations
Review

Mindfulness and eating disorder psychopathology: A meta-analysis

Margarita Sala et al. Int J Eat Disord. 2020 Jun.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: Mindfulness is implicated in eating disorder (ED) psychopathology. However, this literature has not been synthesized to date. The current meta-analysis examined the associations between mindfulness and ED psychopathology.

Methods: A total of 74 independent samples (effects = 576) were included. We used a multilevel random-effects model to estimate summary study-level effect sizes, and multilevel mixed-effects models to examine moderator effects.

Results: Mindfulness was negatively associated with ED psychopathology (r = -.25, p < .001), both concurrently (r = -.25, p < .001) and prospectively (rs = -.22 to -.24, ps < .001). Associations were strongest for binge eating, emotional/external eating, and body dissatisfaction as well as the acting with awareness and nonjudging facets.

Discussion: Mindfulness may be an important process in ED psychopathology. Future research should prospectively and experimentally examine the relation between mindfulness and ED psychopathology.

Objetivo: La atención plena (mindfulness) está implicada en la psicopatología de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA). Sin embargo, esta literatura no ha sido sintetizada a la fecha. El presente meta-análisis examinó las asociaciones entre la atención plena y la psicopatología de los TCA. MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron un total de 74 muestras independientes (efectos = 576). Utilizamos un modelo de efectos aleatorios multinivel para estimar la síntesis de los tamaños de efecto por nivel de estudio, y los modelos de efecto mixto multinivel para examinar los efectos moderadores.

Resultados: La atención plena fue asociada negativamente con la psicopatología de TCA (r = −.25, p < .001), tanto concurrentemente (r = −.25, p < .001) como prospectivamente (rs = −.22-−.24, ps < .001). Las asociaciones fueron más fuertes para trastorno por atracón, alimentación emocional/externa, e insatisfacción corporal, así como también el actuar con conciencia y sin juzgar las facetas. DISCUSIÓN: La atención plena (mindfulness) puede ser un proceso importante en la psicopatología de los TCA.

Keywords: anorexia nervosa; binge-eating disorder; bulimia nervosa; eating disorders; mindfulness.

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