Development of readiness to change and self-efficacy in anorexia nervosa clients: personal perspectives

Objective: Anorexia nervosa is a significant cause of physical and psychological morbidity. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) is frequently used to conceptualise the process of intentional behaviour change. Instability and inconsistency of the TTM stages of change exist across anorexia symptom dimensions. The current study qualitatively explored readiness for change and self-efficacy in relation to six related but distinct anorexic symptom dimensions. Method: Fifteen individuals currently diagnosed with or recently recovered from anorexia participated in a semi-structured interview. Findings: Participants in the central stages of the TTM reported variability and instability in their readiness to change and self-efficacy across the six dimensions. Participants were most prepared to address cognitive/emotional issues and least prepared to alter their weight and avoidance of specific foods. Discussion: These findings extend previous quantitative research to suggest readiness for change and self-efficacy resemble motivational states rather than stages. The implications for clinicians are discussed.