Czeschka, Olivia (2023) A Meaning-Centred Intervention on Body Image Concerns and Depressive Symptoms in Female University Students: A Replication Study. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Already for many years, and even more, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the prevalence rates of eating disorders (EDs) have been increasing. Even though several effective treatments for EDs are present, relapse rates stay high which asks for a new focus in treatment. One factor that is playing a crucial role in the development and maintenance of EDs seems to be meaning in Life (MiL). While replicating promising research by van Doornik et al. (2022), this study investigated whether a meaning-centred intervention for youth with high weight and shape concerns (WSC) can increase self-reported MiL and decrease WSC and depression symptoms in a sample of female university students. In the study, first-year female psychology students (N = 85) were randomly assigned to either a waitlist control condition or an intervention condition in which they participated in the six-week individual online intervention, which was provided once a week for one hour. Participants were assessed before and after the intervention or waiting period and had to complete measures of MiL, WSC, and depression, next to several other questionnaires. The results indicated, that compared to the waiting-list control condition, participants following the intervention showed a significant increase in MiL while their WSC and depression symptoms improved. Post hoc analysis revealed that an increase in MiL was significantly correlated with a decrease in WSC and depression symptoms. In summary, the study successfully replicated the research findings of van Doornik et al. (2022), supporting the idea that a meaning-centred intervention may be relevant for the treatment of young women with high WSC. Keywords: Eating disorders, weight and shape concerns, meaning in life, depression, intervention, randomized controlled trial
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Frey, M.I. and Jong, P.J. de and Schutzeichel, F. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Psychology (CP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 03 Jul 2023 08:54 |
| Last Modified: | 03 Jul 2023 08:54 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2126 |
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