Date of Submission

2004

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Arthur Freeman, Ed.D., ABPP

First Advisor

Rosemary B. Mennuti, Ed.D.

Second Advisor

Robert DiTomasso, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Deanne Zotter Bonifazi, Ph.D.

Abstract

The present study investigated motivation to change as a factor in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa. This study was conducted at The Renfrew Center with 44 adults diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa who were entering their inpatient program. The participants were evaluated at intake and discharge on variables of motivation to change, eating disordered symptom severity, weight change, and compliance with treatment. As predicted, results revealed significant negative correlations between the patient's level of readiness to change at admission and perfectionism, distrust of others and their severity of anorexic symptoms at discharge. In addition, the results confirmed that the patient's level of readiness to change at admission could predict the patient's severity of anorexic symptoms at discharge. However, there was no significant relationship found between readiness to change and weight during treatment. Additionally, level of readiness to change at admission was examined by comparing patients with a previous hospitalization and patients on their first hospitalization, finding no significant difference. Implications for treatment of patient's with anorexia nervosa, suggestions for future research and limitations of this study are discussed.

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