The system of values and the severity of depression symptoms in women with eating disorders
The system of values and the severity of depression symptoms in women with eating disorders

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: The system of values is of significant importance for health behaviours. Studies confirm the relation between various personal resources and behaviours, on the one hand, and the preferred values, on the other. However, there is a lack of reports on the relations between the system of values and the mental health disorders. The aim of the present studies was to establish the relation between the severity of depression symptoms and the system of values in women with eating disorders and in subgroups of bulimic and anorectic women distinguished due to the form of the disorder. Method of studies – totally, 100 women with eating disorders were examined, including 50 with anorexia and 50 with bulimia, in accordance with the ICD-10 classification; the Schwartz’s Portrait Value Questionnaire (PVQ-R2) and 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) were used. Results: Preference of values expressing fear, conformity and tradition were associated with the severity of depression in persons with eating disorders, while the value safety – with a decrease of symptoms. A high assessment of the value power in bulimic women was related to increased depression, which was different from that in anorectic women. Preference of values which were not a sign of fear, namely self-direction and stimulation, in women with eating disorders was connected with a decrease of depression. A high assessment of the value benevolence in women with bulimia resulted in a decrease, while in anorectic women in an increase of depression symptoms. Preference of the value hedonism in bulimic women was related to a decrease of symptom, which showed a different picture in anorectic women. In both subgroups, universalism, on the other hand, indicated increased severity of depression symptoms. Conclusions: To generalize the obtained results, it should be stated that the relations between the severity of depression symptoms and the system of values in women with eating disorders and in subgroups of bulimic and anorectic women distinguished due to the form of the disorder turned out to be much more complex than was assumed in the adopted hypothesis. Programmes of prophylaxis and treatment of eating disorders should consider the relations between the preferred values and the severity of depression.

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