Effectiveness of peer-led dissonance-based eating disorder prevention groups: results from two randomized pilot trials.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The present preliminary trials tested whether undergraduate peer leaders can effectively deliver a dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program, which could facilitate broad dissemination of this efficacious intervention.

METHOD:

In Study 1, female undergraduates (N=171) were randomized to peer-led groups, clinician-led groups, or an educational brochure control condition. In Study 2, which improved a design limitation of Study 1 by using completely parallel outcome measures across conditions, female undergraduates (N=148) were randomized to either immediate peer-led groups or a waitlist control condition.

RESULTS:

In Study 1, participants in peer- and clinician-led groups showed significantly greater pre-post reductions in risk factors and eating disorder symptoms than controls (M d=.64 and .98 respectively), though clinician- versus peer-led groups had higher attendance and competence ratings, and produced stronger effects at posttest (M d=.32) and at 1-year follow-up (M d=.26). In Study 2, participants in peer-led groups showed greater pre-post reductions in all outcomes than waitlist controls (M d=.75).

CONCLUSIONS:

Results provide novel evidence that dissonance-based eating disorder prevention groups led by undergraduate peers are feasible and produce greater reductions in eating disorder risk factors and symptoms than minimal-intervention control conditions, but indicate that effects are smaller for peer- versus clinician-led groups.

• Authors: Eric Stice, Paul Rohde, Shelley Durant, Heather Shaw, Emily Wade
• Journal: Behaviour research and therapy (Behav Res Ther) Vol. 51 Issue 4-5 Pg. 197-206 (May 2013) ISSN: 1873-622X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23419888 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Cognitive Dissonance
• Feeding and Eating Disorders (prevention & control)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Peer Group
• Pilot Projects
• Risk Factors
• Self-Help Groups
• Social Support
• Students (psychology)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult