Implication of Social Rejection in Cognitive Bias Modification Interpretation Training in Adolescents With Eating Disorders

Abstract

Objectives Difficulties in interpersonal relationships intensify negative emotions and act as risk and maintenance factors for eating pathology in eating disorders. Rejection sensitivity refers to the tendency to react sensitively to a rejection. Patients with eating disorders experience difficulties in interpersonal relationships because of their high sensitivity to rejection. Cognitive bias modification interpretation (CBM-I) is a treatment developed to correct interpretation bias for social and emotional stimuli. In this review, we searched for research characteristics and trends through a systematic literature analysis of CBM-I for eating disorders. Methods Five papers that met the selection and exclusion criteria were included in the final literature review and analyzed according to detailed topics (participant characteristics, design, and results). Results The literature supports the efficacy of the CBM-I in reducing negative interpretation bias and eating disorder psychopathology in patients with eating disorders. CBM-I targets emotional dysregulation in adolescent patients with eating disorders and serves as an additional strengthening psychotherapy to alleviate eating disorder symptoms. Conclusion The current findings highlight the potential of CBM-I as an individualized adjunctive treatment for adolescents with eating disorders and social functioning problems.