Research and Formative Action on the Effects of Self-Control on Stress and Decision-Making in People with Eating Disorders

Abstract

Previous research has shown deficits in stress management and decision-making in teen college girls with Eating Disorders (ED). The aim of this research is to relate the impact of self-control on stress and decision-making in this population group in order to design an educational and training project to reduce these difficulties. For this purpose, qualitative research was carried out by means of semi-structured interviews with adolescent patients suffering from ED between 18 and 22 years of age and with various specialists in the mentioned disorder. The interviews were analysed from a quantitative and qualitative perspective using MAXQDA software. The results show that a lack of adaptive self-control can both directly and indirectly affect stress management and decision-making. Meanwhile, demanding self-control or, conversely, impulsive behaviours, tend to increase the problems in the variables studied. On the other hand, the academic field as well as social and family relationships should be mentioned as possible negative elements that interfere with stress management and decision-making. Finally, the creation of specific educational projects on self-control could improve variables such as stress management and decision-making in this population group. To achieve these objectives, training for the education community and clinicians would also be beneficial.