ECOLOGICAL MOMENTARY ASSESSMENT OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Subproject description. Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a serious, often treatment-refractory mental illness with multiple medical complications and a high mortality rate. In spite of the significant medical and psychosocial complications associated with AN, conceptual models of the etiology and maintenance of this disorder are limited. The current research will develop and test a maintenance model predicting AN symptoms based on personality traits, momentary mood states, and cognitions, as well as life events. We are utilizing an assessment strategy that measures cognitions, behaviors, and moods of interest several times a day in order to provide a rigorous and fine grained examination of the thoughts, feelings and behaviors in AN. In order to minimize assessment error due to retrospective recall delays, an electronic self- monitoring system (ecological momentary assessment; EMA) is used to gain more immediate and accurate assessment of the variables of interest. Participants complete a physical examination (including blood draw and urine sample), interviews and questionnaires, and then begin EMA data collection for a period of 14 days. Nutritional Data System data is collected at 3 points during the EMA data collection. The study population consists of adult women with AN, or those who meet criteria for sub-clinical AN (low weight and either amenorrhea or the cognitive pattern of AN (body image disturbance and the intense fear of fat). Measures of eating disorder symptoms, general psychopathology, mood states, and personality characteristics are gathered at baseline and data on eating disorder symptoms, mood states and personality characteristics are gathered throughout the EMA protocol.