| dc.description.abstract | Difficulties with interpersonal functioning are considered core symptoms in eating disorders. The present study had a longitudinal design and the aim was to investigate the interpersonal functioning associated with individuals suffering from eating disorders. More specifically by investigating whether there are distinct interpersonal profiles in an eating disorder sample, by examining whether the interpersonal problems changed during the course of treatment and after, and to explore whether interpersonal functioning could affect treatment outcome. The present sample comprised 108 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or eating disorder not otherwise specified. The Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-C) and the structural summary method were used in order to group patients in to distinct groups according to their predominant interpersonal problem. The Eating Disorder Inventory II (EDI-2) was used to assess treatment outcome. The results showed that the eating disorder sample was primarily characterised by problems with being too submissive and socially avoidant. The present sample reported significantly reduced eating disorder symptoms post treatment, however some groups seemed to have better treatment effect than others. The present study replicated findings from other studies, in which patients with clinical eating disorders seem to be characterised as non-assertive, but with variation on the degree of interpersonal warmth. | nb_NO |
