A quantitative study on peripersonal space in anorexia nervosa and healthy subjects: role of social variables and association with psychopathology

• Paola Longo ^[1] ; Eugenio Scaliti ^[1] ; Matteo Panero ^[1] ; Federica Toppino ^[1] ; Annalisa Brustolin ^[1] ; Benedetta Salis ^[1] ; Maria Carla Lacidogna ^[1] ; Giovanni Abbate-Daga ^[1] ; Matteo Martini ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad de Turín, Italia
• Localización: International journal of clinical and health psychology, ISSN 1697-2600, Vol. 24, Nº. 3, 2024, págs. 21-30
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Objectives This study investigates peripersonal space (PPS) modulation in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) versus healthy controls (HCs) and explores associations between PPS, eating-related, and general psychopathology.

    Method Forty-six patients and 42 HCs completed a computer-based task observing videos of an approaching actor (male or female) displaying different facial expressions along with a non-social condition. Then, participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing eating-related and general psychopathology.

    Results Mixed-models revealed that both groups adjusted PPS based on task conditions, with a gender effect favoring closer proximity to female actor. HCs reduced PPS amplitude progressively during the task, while patients did not show this effect. In patients, wider PPS correlated with lower self-esteem and facial expression identification accuracy, while in HCs, PPS was associated to body dissatisfaction and anxiety symptoms.

    Conclusion These findings enhance understanding of bodily self-consciousness, suggesting PPS consideration in therapeutic interactions with patients with AN and as a potential target in treatments addressing social impairment.