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How Can Social Mentality Theory Help Us Understand Eating Disorder Presentations? A Scoping Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 December 2018

Georgina Mullen Open the ORCID record for Georgina Mullen [Opens in a new window]  and
Gary O'Reilly
Georgina Mullen*
Affiliation:
University College Dublin, School of Psychology, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland Health Service Executive, Ireland St Patrick's Mental Health Services, Dublin, Ireland
Gary O'Reilly
Affiliation:
University College Dublin, School of Psychology, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
*
Address for correspondence: Georgina Mullen, University College Dublin, School of Psychology, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland. Email: georgina.mullen@ucdconnect.ie
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Abstract

This scoping review used social mentality theory (SMT) as a framework to identify and integrate relevant eating disorder systematic reviews and meta-analyses. A systematic search of the PsycINFO database was conducted, using terms from SMT and eating disorder literature. Eighteen systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. Findings suggest that those with eating disorders also experience a number of relationship difficulties, in childhood and/or adulthood, related to attachment style, caregiver experiences, family functioning, social rank, social cognition, and self-compassion. The identification of these social difficulties is established in the eating disorder literature. SMT can provide a theoretical framework to understand how evolved motives to relate to others may contribute to these difficulties.

Keywords

eating disordersocial mentalitycompassion-focused therapyscoping review
Type
Review Article
Information
Journal of Relationships Research , Volume 9 , 2018 , e18
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2018 

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