Research
Self-control has been a puzzle for centuries: the task of placing our long-term goals above our short-term desires is a fundamental human struggle. The “Marshmallow Test” is one example of this: the ability to delay gratification is prospectively associated with better grades, better adjustment, and less psychopathology. In general, self-control is a valued trait and is thought to bring about success through hard work.
However, there is a hidden, “dark side” to self-control. Because self-control is so challenging to implement (including on a neurobiological level), people often fault themselves for “losing control” in contexts where that is the more adaptive thing to do. Some people become so concerned about self-control that they sacrifice important other aspects of their lives, like social relationships and meaningful time. Over-control can have negative health consequences, including compromising mental health, especially when there are many factors out of our individual control. For many, finding balance with self-control can present a major challenge!
In my research, I have examined self-control from different angles, combining work on neurobiological processes and cognitive/affective science with clinical application to eating and weight-related conditions. I am interested in promoting a balanced approach to self-control that is adaptable to individuals and to varied socio-cultural and environmental contexts.
My research has been published in top-tier journals (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Clinical Psychology Review, Psychological Science, Obesity Reviews) and I have been cited 2000+ times (Google Scholar).
Areas of Investigation
Change in
Self-Control
What are the predictors, moderators, and mechanisms of change during treatment? Change in self-control may be an important process to target during treatment for eating disorders and related conditions.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and body sizes.
Food Craving
I have investigated whether specific individual-level processes, such as food craving, are related to eating and weight.
Publications
Boswell, R. G., Launius, K. N., & Lydecker, J. A. (2024). Multiple marginalization, discrimination, and disordered eating among youth aged 10–11. International Journal of Eating Disorders.
Shepherd, C. B., Boswell, R. G., Genet, J., Oliver-Pyatt, W., Stockert, C., Brumm, R., ... & Piel, K. (2024). Weight Restoration and Symptom Remission for Longstanding, Untreated Anorexia Nervosa in a Remote Eating Disorder Treatment Program: A Case Study. Clinical Case Studies, 23(3), 230-249.
Bennett, B. L., Martin-Wagar, C. A., Boswell, R. G., Forrest, L. N., Perelman, H., & Latner, J. D. (2023). Skepticism of and critical thinking about media messages: Conflicting relationships with body dissatisfaction. Eating Behaviors, 51, 101820.
Cummings, M. P., Alexander, R. K., & Boswell, R.G.+ (2023). “Ordinary days would be extraordinary”: The lived experiences of severe and enduring anorexia nervosa. International Journal of Eating Disorders.
Shepherd, C. B., Boswell, R. G., Genet, J., Oliver-Pyatt, W., Stockert, C., Brumm, R., ... & Crowe, E. (2023). Outcomes for binge eating disorder in a remote weight-inclusive treatment program: a case report. Journal of Eating Disorders, 11(1), 80.
Boswell, R.G., Gueorguieva, R. & Grilo, C.M. (2021). Change in impulsivity is prospectively associated with treatment outcomes for binge-eating disorder. Psychological Medicine.
Boswell, R.G. & Lydecker, J. A. (2021). Double Trouble? Associations of Parental Substance Use and Eating Behaviors with Pediatric Disordered Eating. Addictive Behaviors.
Martin‐Wagar, C.A., Boswell, R.G., Bennett, B. L., Perelman, H., Forrest, L.N. (2021). Psychological and eating disorder symptoms as predictors of starting eating disorder treatment. International Journal of Eating Disorders.
Boswell, R.G., Potenza, M.N. & Grilo, C.M. (2021). The Neurobiology of Binge-Eating Disorder Compared with Obesity: Implications for Differential Therapeutics. Clinical Therapeutics.
Boswell, R.G. & Grilo, C.M. (2020). General Impulsivity in Binge-Eating Disorder. CNS Spectrums.
Boswell, R.G.*, Sun, W.*, Suzuki, S., & Kober, H. (2018). Training in Cognitive Strategies Improves Food Choice and Reduces Eating. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(48), E11238-11247.
Kober, H. & Boswell, R.G. (2018). Potential Psychological & Neural Mechanisms in Binge Eating Disorder: Implications for Treatment. Clinical Psychology Review, 60, 32-44.
Hallam, J.*, Boswell, R.G.*, DeVito, E., & Kober, H. (2016). Gender-Related Differences in Food Craving and Obesity. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 89(2), 161-173.
Boswell, R.G., & Kober, H. (2016). Food Cue Reactivity and Craving Predict Eating and Weight Gain: A Meta-Analytic Review. Obesity Reviews, 17(2), 159-177.
Boswell, R.G. & White, M.A. (2015). Gender Differences in Weight Bias Internalization and Eating Pathology in Overweight Individuals. Advances in Eating Disorders, 3(3), 259-268.
Gearhardt, A.N., Boswell, R.G., & White, M.A. (2014). The Association of “Food Addiction” with Disordered Eating and Body Mass Index. Eating Behavior, 15(3), 427-433.
Wagner, D.D., Altman, M.A., Boswell, R.G., Kelley, W.M., & Heatherton, T.F. (2013). Self-regulatory depletion enhances neural responses to rewards and impairs top-down control. Psychological Science, 24(11), 2262-2271.
Gearhardt, A.N., Boswell, R.G., & Potenza, M.N. (2013). Neuroimaging of Eating Disorders, Substance Use Disorders and Addictions: Overlapping and Unique Systems. In A. Dennis & T. Brewerton (Eds.). Eating Disorders, Addictions and Substance Use Disorders: Research, Clinical and Treatment Aspects.
Wagner, D.D., Boswell, R.G., Kelley, W.M., Heatherton, T.F. (2012). Inducing negative affect increases the reward value of appetizing foods in dieters. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 24(7), 1624-1633.
Lewis, V.A., Larson, B.L., McClurg, A.B., Boswell, R.G., Fisher, E.S. (2012). The Promise and Peril of Accountable Care for Vulnerable Populations: A Framework for Overcoming Obstacles. Health Affairs, 3(8), 1777-1785.