The Mediating Role of Rumination in Structural Model ofAnorexia Nervosa

Background and Aim:

 Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a critical psychological disorder characterized by life-threatening distress, significant weight loss, and distorted body image. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of rumination in the relationship between behavioral inhibition/approach systems (BIS/BAS), metacognitive beliefs (MCB), attachment styles (AS), and AN.

Conducted as modeling research, this study focused on Tehran's student population, employing a multi-stage cluster sampling method. The research involved 215 girl students who completed assessments included the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale, Ruminative Responses Scale, sensitivity to reinforcement scale, metacognitive beliefs-30, and attachment styles. Data analysis employed the partial least squares method in SPSS and Smart-PLS software.

The results indicate that the revised model of the structural relationship among sensitivity to reinforcement, metacognitive beliefs, attachment styles, and AN, with the mediation of rumination, exhibits appropriate fitness characteristics.

Conclusion :

The confirmed mediation of rumination in the complex interplay of BIS/BAS, MCB, AS, and AN reveal a crucial cognitive pathway, deepening our understanding of the disorder's etiology. This underscores the potential efficacy of interventions targeting rumination, prompting a paradigm shift in therapeutic strategies. Recognizing rumination as a central mediator allows for a focused approach, addressing the multifaceted aspects of AN and opening avenues for more effective interventions to support individuals grappling with the disorder.