A test of the capture and rumination-functional avoidance-impaired executive control ( CaR-FA-X) model in eating disorders

Previous research indicates that individuals with eating disorders tend to recall a limited number of specific memories from their past or retrieve more general memories that repeat or spread over a broader period. This study aims to assess whether symptoms of eating disorders and restrictive eating can be predicted by the CaR-FA-X Model, which elucidates the cognitive mechanisms behind the specific autobiographical memory recall difficulty. Therefore, it has been suggested that the components of the model-namely rumination, functional avoidance, and impaired executive control-will predict difficulty in recalling specific memories and restrictive eating, along with eating disorder symptoms. It is also hypothesized that these proposed relationships will be supported even when depressive symptoms remain constant, which are closely associated with difficulties in retrieving specific memories. To test these hypotheses, data were collected online from 225 female participants aged between 18-25 years, using the Ruminative Response Scale, Cognitive-Behavioral Avoidance Scale, Stroop Test, Autobiographical Memory Test, and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. The results showed that the CaR-FA-X model did not significantly predict eating disorder symptoms and restrictive eating independent of the level of depressive symptoms. On the other hand, significant correlations were observed between eating disorder symptoms and restrictive eating with rumination, functional avoidance, and depressive symptoms. The findings have been discussed in the context of recent studies that tested the CaR-FA-X model in various disorders and showed that the model did not significantly explain difficulties in recalling specific memories. Methodological limitations such as measurement of variables, sample characteristics, and size have been addressed in these discussions. Moreover, clinical implications of maladaptive cognitive strategies such as rumination and cognitive avoidance, which are associated with negative emotions like depressive symptoms and dysfunctional emotion regulation have also been discussed.