Abstract

Aims: It is the aim of this research to investigate the degree to which psychological and physiological distress levels coincide for those receiving psychological treatment. Another aim of this research is to investigate the effects of feedback to therapists on patient progress on a psychological and physiological outcome measure.

Methods:Adult outpatient partial hospitalization patients participating in eating disorder treatment were invited to take part in this research. In addition to demographic data, each participant was asked to fill out the Outcome Questionnairre - 45 and to deposit 4 ml of saliva into a collection tube to obtain cortisol measurements three times during the course of treatment (pretreatment, time of signal, and at posttreatment). In addition, a psychological assessment, a semi-structured clinical interview, and case notes were used to provide several case study examples.

Results: The results demonstrated mixed outcomes with several of the hypotheses being supported. Specifically, the results seem to substantiate previous research on the OQ-45, while the cortisol measurements partially confirm the stated hypotheses. In relation to pre-post differences, both the self-report psychological measure and the biological marker suggest that treatment is beneficial.

Discussion: These results support the mind - body and psychoneuroimmunology research that posits the inseparable connection between the mind and the body, treating the person as a complex set of interactions that occur between thoughts and emotions, the biological nature of the body, and socio-cultural factors. Implications for future research, program development, and delivery of treatment are discussed.

LLU Discipline

Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

David A. Vermeersch

Second Advisor

Kendal C. Boyd

Third Advisor

Adam L. Arechiga

Fourth Advisor

Jason E. Owen

Fifth Advisor

Lee S. Berk

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2008

Date (Title Page)

9-2008

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Stress, Psychological; Stress -- physiopathology; Stress -- therapy; Stress -- immunology; Immune Tolerance; Psychoneuroimmunology -- case studies; Psychotherapy -- methods; Treatment Outcome; Mind-Body Relations.

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

x; 128

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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