Title
Evaluating the effectiveness of ecological momentary assessment and intervention targeting body checking behaviors
Abstract
This study investigated the efficacy of using ecological momentary assessment and intervention (EMA/EMI) to target body checking behaviors. Body checking has been shown to increase body dissatisfaction and play a role in eating disorders, but few treatments specifically targeting body checking have been empirically evaluated. Forty-four female undergraduates who reported engaging in frequent body checking behaviors participated in a five-day study wherein they were assessed five times a day via smart phone. On the final two days of the study, intervention messages were sent containing cognitive-behavioral strategies for decreasing body checking. Body checking behaviors increased within each day, but decreased across the five day intervention period. Pretest to posttest analyses found healthy improvements in a number of body image related constructs. These results highlight that 1) body checking appears to increase throughout the day, and 2) targeting body checking behaviors through brief EMA/EMI may be a useful clinical tool.
Department(s)
Psychology
Document Type
Article
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2018.1560850
Publication Date
11-2-2019
Recommended Citation
Smith, Jamie M., Brooke L. Whisenhunt, Erin M. Buchanan, and Danae L. Hudson. "Evaluating the effectiveness of ecological momentary assessment and intervention targeting body checking behaviors." Eating Disorders 27, no. 6 (2019): 521-537.
Journal Title
Eating Disorders
