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Research at the PEAR Lab
What do we do at the PEAR Lab?
Research in the PEAR lab is broadly focused on identifying biological, psychological, and social processes (e.g., reward, emotion regulation and reactivity, weight suppression) that underlie the development and maintenance of eating disorders. We are also interested in identifying processes related to co-morbidity in eating disorders, particularly, factors associated with the high risk for self-harm and suicidal behaviours in this population.
Current Studies
Longitudinal Reward Study
Principal Investigator at Western University: Dr. Lindsay Bodell
Lead investigator at McGill University: Dr. Sarah Racine
We are collaborating with the BEEP lab supervised by Dr. Sarah Racine at McGill University to investigate how various components of reward processing relate to different stages of illness in those with binge-type eating disorders. Ultimately, this knowledge will help improve the effectiveness of treatments for binge-type eating disorders.
Mood Study
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lindsay Bodell
We are examining how different moods including negative emotional states influence brain responses and motivation to eat in individuals with and without binge eating behaviours. The overall aim of this research is to improve prevention and treatment approaches for those engaging in binge eating.
Cognitive Flexibility Study
Samantha Withnell's Dissertation
Individual differences in cognitive processes related to problem solving have previously been identified in eating disorder patient samples, however, previous studies have been limited by small patient samples that are limited to specific types of eating disorders (e.g., Anorexia Nervosa). It is currently unclear whether individual differences in cognitive abilities are related to specific types of eating problems or to changes in body weight. The purpose of this study is to examine cognitive abilities among a community sample of people recruited from Canada and the United States, who experience a variety of eating and body image problems. Findings from this study may increase our understanding of cognitive processes related to eating problems, and strategies to better target these processes in treatment for eating disorders.
Eating Disorder (ED) Functions Validation Study
Abbigail Kinnear's Dissertation
One reason why typical eating disorder treatment might not work very well is because it does not consider the various reasons why people continue to engage in eating disorder behaviours, or the functions of these behaviours. To address this, we developed a new measure of eating disorder behaviour functions, based on interviews with individuals with eating disorders and clinicians, and we are now validating it through a large-scale survey. The goal is to provide a psychometrically sound tool that can help tailor eating disorder treatment to better suit individual needs.
Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Intervention Study
Genny Bianchini's Dissertation
Sexual and gender minority (i.e., 2SLGBTQIA+) youth are at high risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviours; however, there are not many treatments that are specifically tailored to this group. This study aims to use feedback from sexual and gender minority youth to help design a free and accessible treatment to reduce suicidal thoughts in this population.
The Feelings while Eating throughout the Day Study (FED Study)
Kendall Schmidt's Dissertation
The purpose of this study is to better understand people’s experiences with eating in their daily lives. Using brief surveys completed on multiple occasions, the study will explore how thoughts, feelings, and reactions related to eating may shift throughout the day and across different eating situations. Over a two-week period, participants will be asked to complete short self-report surveys during everyday eating episodes.
The Teamwork, Emotions, and Mental Health Study (TEAM Study)
Brianna Meddaoui's Dissertation
This study investigates how emotions and mental health, including suicidal thoughts and behaviours, impact teamwork behaviour. Participants complete computer tasks with others enrolled in the study, while having their physiology monitored (heart rate, respiration, facial expression). They will also complete questionnaires and interviews as part of their lab visit.
rTMS and Food-Reward Motivation Study
Dr. Lindsay Bodell, Dr. Cassandra Lowe, Kendall Schmidt
This study is exploring how people respond to rewarding foods and how these responses may be influenced by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a safe and non-invasive form of brain stimulation. Participants will complete a computer-based task that measures motivation for food rewards. The study will also examine whether individual differences in trait impulsivity affect how people respond to rTMS.
Previous Studies
Peer Study
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lindsay Bodell
Adolescence often involves experiencing certain societal pressures which might increase the risk of eating disorders. The aim of the Peer Study is to investigate how brain responses to social evaluation by one's peers are related to different patterns of eating in adolescents.
Bridging Eating Disorder & Muscle Dysmorphia Symptoms: The Role of Fear
Lisa Zhu's MSc Study
The purpose of this study is to explore the similarities between eating disorders (EDs) and muscle dysmorphia (MD), focusing on the symptoms and fears that connect the two. The study aims to identify which symptoms and fears are most central, examine how the two conditions link together, and test whether fear plays a key role in maintaining symptoms across both disorders.
A Qualitative Examination of Suicidal Thoughts Study (QUEST Study)
Genny Bianchini, Brianna Meddaoui, Dr. Lindsay Bodell, Dr. Erin Kaufman
The purpose of this study is to better understand why people think about and plan suicide. The study explores the content of suicidal thoughts and plans, the role of motivations to escape emotional pain, and the aspects of life that make people feel life is worth living. Participants complete an interview about their experiences with suicidal thoughts and plans, followed by several short online questionnaires.
Reward Specificity Study
Kendall Schmidt's MSc Study
This study is exploring the relationship between mood and reward experiences in everyday life. While past research suggests that mood may influence people’s motivation to seek out certain rewards, it is less clear whether this applies specifically to food or to other types of rewards as well. This study will examine how changes in mood may shape people’s motivation and behaviour in relation to different rewarding experiences.
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