Jody E. Finch

The rapid evolution of digital algorithms has transformed the way psychological concepts are disseminated and understood. While the feedback loop between public discourse and psychological terminology has always existed, social media and artificial intelligence have accelerated this process, potentially prioritizing engagement over scientific accuracy. This has contributed to increased awareness and reduced stigma around mental health but has also facilitated the spread of inaccuracies, potential for overpathologization, and departures from diagnostic criteria. This article explores the ethical implications of this evolving digital landscape through a utilitarian framework, weighing the benefits of expression and sharing personal experiences against the risks of conceptual shifts and diagnostic imprecision. Building upon existing ethical standards from the American Psychological Association, this article provides practical recommendations for clinical and counseling psychologists, including engaging with the evolving social media-artificial intelligence feedback loop by thoughtfully addressing diagnostic misperceptions, incorporating dimensional models into psychoeducation, and advocating for the ethical use of artificial intelligence to enhance clinical practice and research. This article also proposes new ethical guidelines to address how American Psychological Association's ethical principles apply to emerging challenges in a digital age. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Thank you for the constructive feedback on our recent meta-analysis on peripheral biomarkers in anorexia nervosa (AN)

The pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN) has been hypothesized to involve several biological systems. However, reliable biomarkers for AN have yet to be established. This study was aimed to identify statistically significant and clinically meaningful peripheral biomarkers associated with AN. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies published in English from inception until 30 June 2022. We conducted two-level random-effects meta-analyses to examine the difference between AN and comparison groups across 52 distinct biomarkers and found that acylated ghrelin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX), cholesterol, cortisol, des-acyl ghrelin, ghrelin, growth hormone (GH), obestatin, and soluble leptin receptor levels were significantly higher in cases of AN compared with those in non-AN controls. Conversely, C-reactive protein (CRP), CD3 positive, CD8, creatinine, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), leptin, luteinizing hormone, lymphocyte, and prolactin levels were significantly lower in AN compared with those in non-AN controls. Our findings indicate that peripheral biomarkers may be linked to the pathophysiology of AN, such as processes of adaptation to starvation. Scientific investigation into peripheral biomarkers may ultimately yield breakthroughs in personalized clinical care for AN.

Objective: Eating disorders (EDs) are often stereotyped as disorders of adolescence and young adulthood; however, they can occur at any age. Prevalence of EDs at midlife are approximately 3.5% and specific symptoms at midlife can have prevalences as high as 29.3%. Studies also inconsistently suggest that EDs and related symptoms may be more prevalent in midlife aged women during perimenopause compared with midlife aged women at pre-menopause. To date few studies have examined the structure of and associations between ED symptoms in women specifically during perimenopause and early postmenopause. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to investigate the structure of ED symptoms specifically during perimenopause and early postmenopause. Methods: Participants included 36 participants (45-61 y old) in a larger clinical trial who completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) at a baseline study visit. Network analysis statistical models were used to examine the structure of and associations between ED symptoms assessed via the EDE-Q. Results: Shape dissatisfaction and weight dissatisfaction were the top 2 central symptoms in the network. Conclusions: Results corroborate previous studies and indicate that, similar to young adult samples, dissatisfaction with body image is a core feature of ED pathology across the lifespan.