Research on Eating Disorders 

My research is within the field of clinical psychology, more specifically eating disorders. I have been working with two line of research during the past 5 years. The first line has been prospective research focusing on identifying risk and protective factors in the development of eating disorders among young women in the general population. This has also resulted in the study of prevalence and incidence of eating disorders. Knowledge gained from these studies will be used in preventive interventions for eating disorders in coming projects.

The other line of research concerns refinement of cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) as well as CBT-based self-help for bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other eating disorders not otherwise specified.

The following two projects are in full progress:

Pure and guided CBT-based self-help for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder

Keywords: Eating, Bulimia, Binge eating, Self-help, Behavioral treatment

Self-help may be a viable first line of treatment for those suffering from bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. In this project, the participants receive either only a self-help treatment manual or a combination of the manual and minimal clinical support (i.e. eight support sessions, each lasting 20 minutes). This is a randomized effectiveness study.

Financial support: The Swedish Foundation for Health Care Sciences and Allergy Research

Scientists involved: Ata Ghaderi, Berit Scott and Ebba Nordström

The clinical significance of functional analysis in cognitive behavior therapy for bulimia nervosa: Does functional analysis improve compliance, decrease drop-out, increase efficacy, and reduce the risk of relapse?

Keywords: Eating, Bulimia, Functional analysis, Cognitive behavioral treatment, Coping, Relapse, Compliance

Manual-based cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is considered the treatment of choice for bulimia nervosa. However, about 30 to 40% of those receiving CBT do not make significant progress after completed treatment. The present project is designed to investigate if CBT could be more effective when guided by functional behavioral analysis compared to when it is conducted following the standard treatment manual.

Financial support: The Sasakawa Young Leaders’ Fellowship Fund, and The Swedish Foundation for Health Care Sciences and Allergy Research

Scientists involved: Ata Ghaderi, Berit Scott and Ebba Nordström

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e-mail för kontakt: Ata.Ghaderi@psyk.uu.se
URL: www.psyk.uu.se/hemsidor/Ata.Ghaderi/english.html