As I reflect on my doctoral dissertation, I'm excited to share with you the key insights from my research into orthorexia nervosa, cognitive flexibility, and distress tolerance. This work represents a significant contribution to our understanding of this emerging eating disorder and its relationship with important cognitive and emotional processes.

The Research Journey

My dissertation comprised three cross-sectional studies, each building upon the last to create a comprehensive picture of orthorexia nervosa and its associated factors:

1. Study 1: State Cognitive Flexibility and Orthorexia Nervosa

   - Examined the relationship between state cognitive flexibility (measured by the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory) and orthorexia nervosa symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

   - Key Finding: Lower perceived ability to control difficult situations was associated with higher orthorexia nervosa symptoms. Surprisingly, a greater ability to generate alternative solutions was linked to increased symptoms, possibly due to the unique context of the pandemic.

2. Study 2: Trait Cognitive Flexibility and Orthorexia Nervosa

   - Investigated trait cognitive flexibility using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in relation to orthorexia nervosa symptoms.

   - Key Finding: Cognitive inflexibility (measured by perseverative errors) was associated with positive feelings and increased knowledge about restrictive eating habits. However, cognitive flexibility (measured by completed categories) was linked to increased knowledge and greater perception of problems related to orthorexia.

3. Study 3: Distress Tolerance, Cognitive Flexibility, and Orthorexia Nervosa

   - Explored the relationships between distress tolerance, cognitive flexibility, and orthorexia nervosa symptoms.

   - Key Finding: Lower distress tolerance was associated with higher orthorexia nervosa symptoms. The control aspect of cognitive flexibility served as a protective factor, especially when combined with higher distress tolerance. Conversely, the alternatives aspect of cognitive flexibility was a risk factor when combined with lower distress tolerance.

Key Takeaways

1. Cognitive Flexibility is Multifaceted: My research highlighted that different aspects of cognitive flexibility (control vs. alternatives) can have varying impacts on orthorexia nervosa symptoms.

2. Context Matters: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced the relationship between cognitive flexibility and orthorexia nervosa symptoms, emphasizing the importance of considering environmental factors in eating disorder research.

3. Distress Tolerance is Crucial: The ability to tolerate negative emotional states plays a significant role in the development and maintenance of orthorexia nervosa symptoms.

4. Complex Interplay: The relationships between cognitive flexibility, distress tolerance, and orthorexia nervosa are intricate and sometimes counterintuitive, highlighting the need for nuanced approaches in both research and clinical practice.

Implications and Future Directions

My research suggests that interventions targeting both cognitive flexibility and distress tolerance may be beneficial for individuals with orthorexia nervosa. Future studies should explore these relationships in clinical populations and use a combination of self-report and performance-based measures to capture the full complexity of cognitive flexibility.

As we continue to unravel the complexities of orthorexia nervosa, it's clear that a multifaceted approach considering cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors is essential. I'm excited to see how this research will contribute to better understanding and treatment of orthorexia nervosa in the future.