Evaluating the effectiveness of ecological momentary assessment and intervention targeting body checking behaviors

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the efficacy of using ecological momentary assessment and intervention (EMA/EMI) to target body checking behaviors. Body checking has been shown to increase body dissatisfaction and play a role in eating disorders, but few treatments specifically targeting body checking have been empirically evaluated. Forty-four female undergraduates who reported engaging in frequent body checking behaviors participated in a five-day study wherein they were assessed five times a day via smart phone. On the final two days of the study, intervention messages were sent containing cognitive-behavioral strategies for decreasing body checking. Body checking behaviors increased within each day, but decreased across the five day intervention period. Pretest to posttest analyses found healthy improvements in a number of body image related constructs. These results highlight that 1) body checking appears to increase throughout the day, and 2) targeting body checking behaviors through brief EMA/EMI may be a useful clinical tool.

Notes

1. We additionally examined the influence of age and BMI on these results, as suggested by a reviewer. The results did not change with these covariates, and neither age nor BMI were significant predictors. Therefore, the original hypotheses and analyses are presented here.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Missouri State University.