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The psychometric network structure of maladaptive personality trait facets in eating disorder patients

Baindurashvili, Gvantsa (2021) The psychometric network structure of maladaptive personality trait facets in eating disorder patients.

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Abstract:Personality can play an important role in relation to eating disorders (EDs). Empirical studies suggest that certain maladaptive personality trait facets are associated with EDs and might act as ED maintaining factors. However, there is a lack of understanding of how maladaptive personality trait facets are interconnected in ED patients. Psychometric network theory proposes that personality can be explained as a network of interconnected trait facets in which trait facets can be more or less influential. Centrality, a unique feature of psychometric network analysis, can indicate the importance of each trait facet in the context of other trait facets. Thus, trait facets with high centrality can be considered those that influence other trait facets and the whole personality. Knowing the high central trait facets of ED patients can provide us with information that has not been explored before. Using data from 1,224 Dutch ED patients, psychometric network analysis of the 25 trait facets from PID- 5 was applied to explore the maladaptive personality network structure and centrality. Depressivity, withdrawal, anhedonia and hostility were the most central trait facets uniquely associated with many other trait facets. Centrality indices were not significantly different across age and ED psychopathology severity. However, youth ED patients’ personality network had some significantly stronger interconnections compared to adult patients’ network, leading to significant difference between the network structure of youth and adult ED patients. The current study findings may be helpful in the ED treatment or its planning process. Central trait facets may be considered in ED treatment to promote the overall adaptive personality of ED patients. Future longitudinal studies may investigate how the most central trait facets are connected with ED treatment outcomes.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/89083
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