Self-efficacy as a robust predictor of outcome in guided self-help treatment for broadly defined bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE

To examine predictors of guided self-help (GSH) treatment outcome in bulimia nervosa (BN).

METHOD: Data were included from 87 individuals who participated in one of two randomized controlled trials evaluating GSH interventions for BN. Participants received eight sessions of GSH over a 6- to 8-week period and were assessed at baseline, pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Motivation (confidence in ability to change) proved to be the most robust predictor of outcome, across three of the four outcome measures. Baseline measures of concern over mistakes perfectionism also uniquely predicted outcome at posttreatment. Posttreatment measures of stress, eating disorder-related automatic thoughts, and frequency of binge episodes predicted outcome at 6-month follow-up.

DISCUSSION: This study suggests that tackling motivation early in therapy, with a particular focus on confidence in succeeding in change, could be of benefit to outcome in BN treatment.