Back to Search Start Over

Internet-Based Motivation Program for Women With Eating Disorders: Eating Disorder Pathology and Depressive Mood Predict Dropout

Authors :
von Brachel, Ruth
Hötzel, Katrin
Hirschfeld, Gerrit
Rieger, Elizabeth
Schmidt, Ulrike
Kosfelder, Joachim
Hechler, Tanja
Schulte, Dietmar
Vocks, Silja
Source :
Journal of Medical Internet Research, Vol 16, Iss 3, p e92 (2014)
Publication Year :
2014
Publisher :
JMIR Publications, 2014.

Abstract

BackgroundOne of the main problems of Internet-delivered interventions for a range of disorders is the high dropout rate, yet little is known about the factors associated with this. We recently developed and tested a Web-based 6-session program to enhance motivation to change for women with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or related subthreshold eating pathology. ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to identify predictors of dropout from this Web program. MethodsA total of 179 women took part in the study. We used survival analyses (Cox regression) to investigate the predictive effect of eating disorder pathology (assessed by the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire; EDE-Q), depressive mood (Hopkins Symptom Checklist), motivation to change (University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale; URICA), and participants’ age at dropout. To identify predictors, we used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method. ResultsThe dropout rate was 50.8% (91/179) and was equally distributed across the 6 treatment sessions. The LASSO analysis revealed that higher scores on the Shape Concerns subscale of the EDE-Q, a higher frequency of binge eating episodes and vomiting, as well as higher depression scores significantly increased the probability of dropout. However, we did not find any effect of the URICA or age on dropout. ConclusionsWomen with more severe eating disorder pathology and depressive mood had a higher likelihood of dropping out from a Web-based motivational enhancement program. Interventions such as ours need to address the specific needs of women with more severe eating disorder pathology and depressive mood and offer them additional support to prevent them from prematurely discontinuing treatment.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14388871
Volume :
16
Issue :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.9bd8a25094120b23899e42675b8c4
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.3104