[Motivational factors in psychotherapy of eating disorders].

AIM: We examined changes in general psychopathology during psychotherapy of patients with eating disorders. We were also interested in distinguishing motivational characteristics of completers and dropouts with anorexia and bulimia nervosa.

METHOD: All subjects completed two self-descriptive measures: Motivational Inventory and Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-72). Questionnaires were completed three times: during the qualification visit, at admission and two weeks before discharge.

RESULTS

It was observed that general psychopathology among patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa decreased. Comparing to completers with bulimia nervosa completers with anorexia nervosa had a higher level of activity factor before the treatment. Dropouts with anorexia nervosa differed from completers in decreased level of threat factor and activity factor. Completers with bulimia contrasted markedly with statistically meaningful decrease of the Body Mass Index.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of cognitive-behavioural-social psychotherapy of patients with eating disorders seems to be confirmed by large decrease of general psychopathology. Dropouts with anorexia seem to have poorer insight concerned with lower need of health activity.