Body-Weight Self-Schema: Determinant of Mood and Behavior in Women With an Eating Disorder1

The schema approach to self-concept was used to investigate the association between body-weight self-conception and self-esteem, negative affect states, and disordered eating behavior in women with anorexia nervosa (n = 26) or bulimia nervosa (n = 53) using experience sampling methodology. We predicted that self-esteem would be lower and unpleasant affect and disordered eating behaviors would be higher when the body-weight self-schema was activated in working memory compared to when non–weight-related self-schemas were activated. Participants recorded the currently activated self-schema, self-esteem, affect, and behavior in response to an alarm-watch signal 5 times daily for 5 days. Activation of the body-weight self-schema was associated with lower self-esteem and higher negative affect, but not higher levels of disordered eating behavior. Low selfesteem and negative affect, however, were associated with disordered eating behavior. Findings have important implications for treatment of eating disorders.