The Impact of Narcissism on Drop-out From Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for the Eating Disorders: A Pilot Study. Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease. 197(4):278-281, April 2009
Author Campbell, Mari A. BSc, DClinPsy *; Waller, Glenn MClinPsychol, DPhil [S]; Pistrang, Nancy MA, PhD * Institution From the *Sub-department of Clinical Health Psychology, University College London, United Kingdom; +Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; ++Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom; and [S]Vincent Square Eating Disorders Service, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
This study examined the relationship between narcissism and drop-out from the early stage of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for the eating disorders. Narcissism was defined in terms of both its core elements and the narcissistic defense styles. The participants were 41 patients presenting for CBT at a specialist eating disorders service. Each completed measures of narcissism and eating disorder psychopathology. Attendance at sessions was also recorded. The presence of the narcissistically abused personality defense style was associated with a higher likelihood of dropping out of outpatient CBT. This “martyred” form of narcissism appears to have a significant role in the adherence to treatment for the eating disorders. The limitations and the clinical implications of this preliminary research are discussed, and future directions for research are suggested.
Lancashire Care staff can request the full-text of this paper, email: susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk
Filed under: CBT Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Eating Disorders | Tagged: reasons, cbt, therapies, treatment, Eating Disorders, waller, narcissism, drop out
