Schadenfreude, malicious and benign envy are associated with low body mass index in restrictive-type anorexia nervosa

Abstract : Purpose According to the Cognitive-Interpersonal Maintenance Model of anorexia nervosa, social factors are involved in the maintenance and development of this disorder. Therefore, this study aimed to test whether patients with restrictive-type anorexia nervosa (AN-R) experience malicious envy (negative emotions associated with the wish that others lack their superior quality), benign envy (negative emotions associated with the desire to reach and obtain the others’ superior quality) and Schadenfreude (pleasure at the misfortunes of others) with a higher intensity than healthy controls (HC). Methods 26 AN-R patients and 32 HC completed scenarios that aimed to induce envy and Schadenfreude and completed questionnaires measuring envy, self-esteem and social comparison. Results AN-R patients reported more benign envy than HC. Interestingly, higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with less Schadenfreude, malicious and benign envy in AN-R only. Conclusions This study shows that AN-R patients present higher motivation to evolve when facing others’ superior quality (i.e., benign envy). It also underlines the importance of considering social factors in the maintenance of AN-R and the role of BMI when examining emotions related to others’ fortune. Level of evidence Level III, case-control analytic study.