Shifting the Focus: The Effects of a Meaning-Centered Intervention on Perceived Meaning in Life, Eating Disorder Symptoms, and Self-Esteem.

Mann, Johanna (2023) Shifting the Focus: The Effects of a Meaning-Centered Intervention on Perceived Meaning in Life, Eating Disorder Symptoms, and Self-Esteem. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Experiencing meaningfulness has frequently been suggested to be a notable contributor to improving various mental health outcomes (e.g. Fairburn et al., 2003; Breitbart & Poppito, 2014). The current study aims to replicate the study of van Doornik et al. (2021b) demonstrating the beneficial effects of a meaning-centered intervention on perceived meaning in life and eating disorder symptoms during currently lifted COVID-19 lockdown measures. To extend the previous findings, the intervention’s impact on self-esteem, an influential variable in the course and recovery of symptoms (Fairburn et al., 2003) was investigated. Using random assignment, 100 female first-year students, characterized by high weight and shape concerns, were either allocated to participate in six weekly sessions of the meaning- centered intervention or a waitlist control condition. Participants responded to a series of self- report measures on perceived meaning, eating disorder symptoms, and self-esteem at baseline, and after completion of the intervention or the six-week waiting period. After finishing the meaning-centered intervention, participants reported significant increases in perceived meaning, decreases in eating disorder symptoms, and increases in self-esteem compared to those in the waitlist control condition. The current study therefore successfully replicated the findings of the initial study (van Doornik et al., 2021b) during currently lifted COVID-19 measures and, thus, supports the beneficence of a meaning-centered approach to various mental health concerns.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Frey, M.I.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Psychology (CP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	06 Aug 2024 12:26
Last Modified:	06 Aug 2024 12:26
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4234

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