Knowledge and Myths about Eating Disorders in a German Adolescent Sample: A Preliminary Investigation

Johannes Feldhege, Sally Bilic, Kathina Ali, Daniel B. Fassnacht, Markus Moessner, Louise M. Farrer, Kathleen M. Griffiths and Stephanie Bauer
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Johannes Feldhege: Center for Psychotherapy Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
Sally Bilic: Center for Psychotherapy Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
Kathina Ali: College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia
Daniel B. Fassnacht: College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia
Markus Moessner: Center for Psychotherapy Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
Louise M. Farrer: Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
Kathleen M. Griffiths: Research School of Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
Stephanie Bauer: Center for Psychotherapy Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-9

Abstract: Eating disorder mental health literacy (ED-MHL) refers to knowledge about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of eating disorders (EDs) and is an important factor in people’s attitudes towards individuals with EDs and help-seeking for EDs. Associations between ED-MHL, stigma, ED symptomatology, and gender were investigated in a sample of N = 194 German high school students. Knowledge and myths about EDs were assessed with 18 factual statements about EDs and agreement/disagreement with common myths about ED. Students also completed the Universal Stigma Scale (USS), the Weight Concerns Scale (WCS), and demographic items. Students judged M = 8.39 (SD = 3.40) statements correctly, while the average agreement with all ED myths was low (M = 0.19, SD = 0.14). Greater ED-MHL was associated with lower stigmatization of EDs. Male participants were less knowledgeable and more likely to agree with the ED myths. Participants displayed moderate ED-MHL; however, certain aspects such as ED risk factors or symptoms of specific disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa were less well known. These results can inform the design of future MHL interventions for adolescents.

Keywords: eating disorder; mental health literacy; eating disorder literacy; stigma; help-seeking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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