Reframing Self-Perception: Efficacy of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) on Self-Disgust, Physical Appearance Perfectionism, and Self-Esteem in Girls with Anorexia Nervosa

https://doi.org/10.22122/ijbmc.v11i5.636

Authors

  • Fatemeh Mirzai MSc in General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran., Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Niloofar Nikbakht MSc in General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Malard Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran., Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Zahra Norouziani MSc in General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Malard Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran., Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Erfan Abdollahi-Chirani
    Erfanabdollahipsy@gmail.com
    MSc in General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran., Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Farshid Fathy-Karkaragh PhD Student in Health psychology, Department of psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran., Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Pardis Mazroei MSc Student, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ashrafi Esfahani University, Isfahan, Iran, Iran, Islamic Republic of
Vol 11, No 5 (2024)
Qualitative Study(ies)
September 5, 2024
September 26, 2024

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Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) presents unique psychological challenges, including deep-seated feelings of self-disgust, rigid physical appearance perfectionism, and diminished self-esteem. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) on self-disgust, physical appearance perfectionism, and self-esteem in girls with AN.

Methods: This semi-experimental study used a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population of the research included all girls with AN in Tehran, Iran, who had been referred to counselling centers and nutritionists in 2023. Forty of them aged 14 to 19 were selected using the convenience sampling method. Initially, 20 participants were selected for each group, but 3 participants from the control group were excluded due to absence of more than three sessions. The experimental group received 15 sessions of ISTDP, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected through the use of the Overton et al. Self-Disgust Scale (SDS), Yang and Stoeber Physical Appearance Perfectionism Scale (PAPS), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Data were analyzed using univariate, multivariate, and repeated measures of covariance in SPSS software.

Results: ISTDP effectively reduced self-disgust (P = 0.001, F = 0.151) and physical appearance perfectionism (P = 0.001, F = 8.830), and enhanced self-esteem (P = 0.001, F = 52.388) in girls with AN.

Conclusion: ISTDP was able to reduce self-disgust and physical appearance perfectionism and increase self-esteem, and this change continued in the follow-up. 

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