Ego functions and eating behavior: a cognitive-behavioral view of the relationships

the study is aimed at investigating the relationship between the ego functions of the individual and cognitive-behavioral patterns in eating disorders within the framework of the integration of psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches. The study involved 60 people aged 25 to 35 years. A set of psychodiagnostic methods was used, including the Ammon Self-Structural Test, the Ilchik Eating Behavior Assessment Scale, the Sagalakova Diagnostic Questionnaire, the CMQ Questionnaire of Cognitive Errors, and the CEAS Constructivist Epistemological Beliefs Scale. The results showed heterogeneity in the distribution of ego functions among the participants with a predominance of dysfunctional forms. Significant correlations were revealed between dysfunctional ego functions and indicators of eating disorders. The most pronounced relationships were found between destructive external ego-delimitation and a tendency to bulimia, deficit narcissism and personalization, destructive anxiety and catastrophization. The data obtained expand the understanding of the psychological mechanisms of the formation of eating disorders and substantiate the need for an integrative approach in psychotherapeutic practice that takes into account both deep personality structures and superficial cognitive-behavioral manifestations.

ego functions, eating behavior, cognitive-behavioral patterns, Ammon's Self-Structural Test, eating disorders, bulimia, anorexia, cognitive errors, psychodynamic approach, integrative psychotherapy, ego-delimitation, narcissism, anxiety