Binge antecedents in bulimic syndromes: an examination of dissociation and negative affect

Dissociative episodes and concurrent heart rate in patients with PTSD - An ecological momentary assessment

Dissociative symptoms are a frequent complication in posttraumatic stress disorders affecting about a third of all PTSD patients. While theoretical models predict a physiological hypoarousal during posttraumatic dissociations, empirical evidence is lacking. We addressed this by studying spontaneously occurring dissociative symptoms and related heart rate changes in an ecological momentary assessment. Therefore, we continuously measured heart rate for five to ten days with mobile ECG in 47 female inpatients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and dissociative symptoms. During this observation period, patients tracked each dissociative event on a smartphone app and reported on symptom characteristics. Patients reported a total of 164 dissociative events. Those typically lasted <30 min and involved co-occuring depersonalization and derealization of moderate to severe intensity. Tracked symptoms correlated positively with some conventional self-reports for depersonalization and derealization. Heart rate during dissociative symptoms varied greatly between and within individuals and was on average not different from baseline assessment. There was also no significant relation between dissociation intensity and heart rate change. These results challenge the theory of reactive hypoarousal during chronic dissociation and support the view that physiological adaptation modifies in the course of posttraumatic chronification. They also highlight the individual variability of dissociative symptoms and underscore the necessity of detailed assessment for targeted therapeutic approaches.

Emotional food craving across the eating disorder spectrum: an ecological momentary assessment study

PURPOSE

Emotional eating during negative emotions might underlie disordered eating behavior (i.e., binge eating and food restriction). Positive emotions, by contrast, seem to promote healthier eating behavior. Naturalistic research on the links between emotions and eating across individuals with binge-eating disorder (BED), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge-purge anorexia nervosa (AN-BP), and restrictive anorexia nervosa (AN-R) is, however, lacking.

METHODS

Individuals without eating disorders (comparison group, CG, n = 85), and patients with BED (n = 41), BN (n = 50), AN-BP (n = 26), and AN-R (n = 29) participated in an ecological momentary assessment study. Six daily notifications over eight days prompted ratings of momentary food craving and emotional states differing in valence and arousal.

RESULTS

Results supported specific emotion-food-craving patterns in each group. Compared to the CG, arousing negative emotions and higher cravings co-occurred in patients with BN. In patients with AN-BP (at trend level also in patients with AN-R) less arousing negative emotions and lower cravings co-occurred. In patients with AN, positive emotions and higher cravings co-occurred whereas in patients with BED less arousing positive emotions and lower cravings co-occurred.

CONCLUSION

The found emotion-craving associations may underlie group-specific (dys-)functional eating behaviors, i.e., binge eating and food restriction during negative emotions in patients with BN and AN, and normalized appetitive responses during positive emotions in patients with BED and AN. Therapeutic efforts could target arousing negative emotions in patients with BN, and less arousing negative emotions in patients with AN. Positive emotions could be used in a salutogenetic approach in patients with BED and AN.

Brain Correlates of Eating Disorders in Response to Food Visual Stimuli: A Systematic Narrative Review of FMRI Studies

This article summarizes the results of studies in which functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed to investigate the neurofunctional activations involved in processing visual stimuli from food in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED). A systematic review approach based on the PRISMA guidelines was used. Three databases-Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science (WoS)-were searched for brain correlates of each eating disorder. From an original pool of 688 articles, 30 articles were included and discussed. The selected studies did not always overlap in terms of research design and observed outcomes, but it was possible to identify some regularities that characterized each eating disorder. As if there were two complementary regulatory strategies, AN seems to be associated with general hyperactivity in brain regions involved in top-down control and emotional areas, such as the amygdala, insula and hypothalamus. The insula and striatum are hyperactive in BN patients and likely involved in abnormalities of impulsivity and emotion regulation. Finally, the temporal cortex and striatum appear to be involved in the neural correlates of BED, linking this condition to use of dissociative strategies and addictive aspects. Although further studies are needed, this review shows that there are specific activation pathways. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to triggers, targets and maintenance processes in order to plan effective therapeutic interventions. Clinical implications are discussed.

Toward Individualized Prediction of Binge-Eating Episodes Based on Ecological Momentary Assessment Data: Item Development and Pilot Study in Patients With Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-Eating Disorder

BACKGROUND

Prevention of binge eating through just-in-time mobile interventions requires the prediction of respective high-risk times, for example, through preceding affective states or associated contexts. However, these factors and states are highly idiographic; thus, prediction models based on averages across individuals often fail.

OBJECTIVE

We developed an idiographic, within-individual binge-eating prediction approach based on ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data.

METHODS

We first derived a novel EMA-item set that covers a broad set of potential idiographic binge-eating antecedents from literature and an eating disorder focus group (n=11). The final EMA-item set (6 prompts per day for 14 days) was assessed in female patients with bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder. We used a correlation-based machine learning approach (Best Items Scale that is Cross-validated, Unit-weighted, Informative, and Transparent) to select parsimonious, idiographic item subsets and predict binge-eating occurrence from EMA data (32 items assessing antecedent contextual and affective states and 12 time-derived predictors).

RESULTS

On average 67.3 (SD 13.4; range 43-84) EMA observations were analyzed within participants (n=13). The derived item subsets predicted binge-eating episodes with high accuracy on average (mean area under the curve 0.80, SD 0.15; mean 95% CI 0.63-0.95; mean specificity 0.87, SD 0.08; mean sensitivity 0.79, SD 0.19; mean maximum reliability of rD 0.40, SD 0.13; and mean rCV 0.13, SD 0.31). Across patients, highly heterogeneous predictor sets of varying sizes (mean 7.31, SD 1.49; range 5-9 predictors) were chosen for the respective best prediction models.

CONCLUSIONS

Predicting binge-eating episodes from psychological and contextual states seems feasible and accurate, but the predictor sets are highly idiographic. This has practical implications for mobile health and just-in-time adaptive interventions. Furthermore, current theories around binge eating need to account for this high between-person variability and broaden the scope of potential antecedent factors. Ultimately, a radical shift from purely nomothetic models to idiographic prediction models and theories is required.

Exploring the contributions of affective constructs and interoceptive awareness to feeling fat

PURPOSE

Feeling fat, a subjective feeling of being overweight that does not always correspond to actual body weight, is commonly reported in patients with an eating disorder. Research suggests that feeling fat relates to deficits in interoceptive awareness, the perception and integration of signals related to body states. Relatedly, recent work has linked feeling fat to affective constructs, such as depressive symptoms and guilt. The current study explores the unique relationships between feeling fat, self-reported, and objective IA, guilt, alexithymia, and depressive symptoms.

METHOD

Female undergraduates (N = 128) completed the 11th item of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Guilt subscale of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Participants also completed two IA measures: a heartbeat perception task and the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness.

RESULTS

All collected measures explained 56% of the variability in feeling fat. Depressive symptoms, self-reported IA, and BMI accounted for significant variability in feeling fat. Relative weights analyses revealed that depressive symptoms accounted for the most variability in feeling fat (19%). This finding remained significant after controlling for BMI, which also accounted for significant variability in feeling fat (25%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results replicate previous findings that depressive symptoms relate significantly to feeling fat and extend this work by incorporating the role of interoceptive awareness, guilt, and alexithymia. Endorsement of feeling fat during an intake assessment may alert clinicians to assess for depressive symptoms, and focusing on depressive symptoms in treatment may improve feeling fat.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I Evidence obtained from an experimental study.

Problematic eating behaviours of autistic women-A scoping review

AIM

Eating and feeding behaviours of autistic individuals and related consequences have been mainly investigated in autistic children or in autistic adults with intellectual disabilities. Behaviours such as food selectivity or food neophobia have been shown to persist into adolescence and adulthood and are associated with aversive consequences. However, much less is known about the eating behaviours of autistic adults without intellectual disabilities, especially those of women. By means of a scoping review, we aim to assess the extent of the scientific literature on what is known about the eating behaviours of these women and the possible consequences of such eating behaviour.

METHOD

Medline, Cochrane, PubMed and PsycInfo databases were searched according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

RESULTS

Five studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Autistic women not only reported high levels of eating behaviour frequently seen in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but also high levels of disordered eating behaviour, similar to that of women with eating disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Autistic women seem to exhibit high levels of eating behaviour frequently seen in ASD as well as disordered eating behaviour. Future research needs to shed light on what underlies these problematic eating behaviours, in order to help to adapt current treatment modalities to meet the unique needs of these women.

The roles of negative emotion intensity, negative emotion differentiation, and self-compassion in loss of control eating

OBJECTIVE

Negative affect intensity is robustly related to binge eating, but the relationship between negative emotion differentiation (i.e., the ability to differentiate negatively-valenced emotions) and binge eating is unclear. Further, little is known about factors that might reduce emotion intensity and/or enhance emotion differentiation, thereby reducing binge eating. Self-compassion is consistently linked to less binge eating, which may be due to decreased negative affect and/or an enhanced ability to differentiate emotions. The current study examined the roles of negative emotion intensity, negative emotion differentiation, and self-compassion in binge eating using ecological momentary assessment.

METHOD

Participants were 201 university students (52.2% female) who completed questionnaires assessing affect seven times a day, and engagement in loss of control (LOC) eating episodes at the end of each day, for 10 days. The average of sadness, fear, guilt, and hostility subscales represented negative emotion intensity; intraclass correlations across negative affect subscales defined negative emotion differentiation. Both daily (i.e., within-person) and trait (i.e., between-person) emotion variables were examined as predictors.

RESULTS

Between-person negative emotion intensity, but not negative emotion differentiation, significantly predicted LOC eating occurrence. Self-compassion had a significant effect on LOC eating frequency, and this relationship was partially mediated via negative emotion intensity, but not via negative emotion differentiation.

DISCUSSION

Lower levels of negative emotion intensity partially account for the relationship between greater self-compassion and less frequent LOC eating. These findings highlight the importance of cultivating self-compassion to down-regulate negative emotions and to reduce LOC eating.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Our findings suggest that university students who approach their limitations compassionately experience fewer negative emotions in daily life and engage in less loss of control eating. Lower levels of negative affect partially explain this relationship between self-compassion and loss of control eating. These results highlight the importance of cultivating an understanding and a compassionate attitude toward oneself for reducing eating pathology.

Broad and Narrow Transdiagnostic Risk Factors in Eating Disorders: A Preliminary Study on an Italian Clinical Sample

Eating disorders are multifaceted psychopathologies and the transdiagnostic approach is currently considered a useful framework to understand their complexity. This preliminary study aimed to investigate both broad (i.e., intolerance of uncertainty and emotion dysregulation) and narrow (i.e., extreme body dissatisfaction) transdiagnostic risk factors underlying eating disorders. 50 Italian female patients seeking treatment for an eating disorder were involved (M_age = 31.6 years ± 12.8, 18–65). They completed self-report measures assessing emotion regulation difficulties, intolerance of uncertainty, extreme body dissatisfaction, general psychological distress, and eating disorder symptomatology. To explore whether the abovementioned transdiagnostic factors predicted patients’ psychological distress and eating disorder symptoms, two linear regressions were performed. Emotion dysregulation emerged as the only significant predictor of distress, while extreme body dissatisfaction was the only significant predictor of overall eating disorder symptomatology. Then, to analyze the differences between patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in intolerance of uncertainty and emotion regulation problems, t-tests were conducted. The two groups differed significantly in intolerance of uncertainty levels only, with higher scores obtained by patients with anorexia nervosa. Overall, our findings suggest that emotion dysregulation and extreme body dissatisfaction may be relevant constructs in eating disorders in general, while intolerance of uncertainty may be more involved in restrictive eating disorders. The clinical implications of such results are discussed.

Lived experiences of subjective binge eating: An inductive thematic analysis

OBJECTIVE

Growing evidence suggests that subjective binge eating (SBE; loss of control eating involving subjectively, but not objectively, large quantities of food) is clinically concerning even though it is not currently considered a diagnostic criterion for eating disorders. However, the lived experience of SBEs has not been examined in a systematic, and data-driven way.

METHOD

The current study used a qualitative, inductive interview approach to further define SBEs as described by individuals who experience them. Participants (N = 14; 11 cisgender women, M_age  = 35.29, 12 White/non-Latinx) reported SBEs that occurred at least twice per week over the prior 3 months. We completed semi-structured qualitative phone interviews with participants regarding their most recent SBE and objective binge-eating episode (OBE) if applicable, as well as broader experiences and attitudes regarding non-binge eating.

RESULTS

Inductive, reflexive, thematic coding yielded descriptive and interpretive codes regarding SBEs. Main themes regarding SBE experience included: (a) SBEs Occur Across Contexts and Food Types, (b) SBEs Are Contrasts to General Over-Control, (c) SBEs Are Distress- and Disconnection-Inducing, Not Relieving, (d) SBEs Are Responses to Hunger and Restriction, and (e) SBEs Can Be "Echoes" of OBEs.

DISCUSSION

The current study explored the lived experiences of those who report SBEs and provides an important foundation for hypothesis generation for future research on and clinical interventions for SBEs.

Anxiety, stress, and binge eating tendencies in adolescence: a prospective approach

BACKGROUND

Recent years have witnessed an increasing prevalence of binge eating tendencies in adolescence-warranting a clearer understanding of their underlying predisposing and precipitating factors. The current study investigated whether the interaction between high levels of anxiety and stress predicted increased levels of binge eating tendencies in a prospective cohort of adolescents (N = 324).

METHODS

Measurements were taken over three waves (M ages: 13.33, 14.48, 15.65) as part of the CogBIAS Longitudinal Study. Longitudinal associations between levels of anxiety and stress with binge eating tendencies were estimated using a random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM), which calculates within-person fluctuations over time while accounting for individual trait-like stability and between-person variations. Binge eating tendencies were measured by the Cognitive Restraint, Uncontrolled Eating, and Emotional Eating styles from the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18. Two models were created for each binge eating tendencies variable: (1) a basic model with anxiety and stress as independent variables; (2) an interaction model with an additional anxiety*stress interaction term. Model fit was assessed by SEM fit indices: X², CFI, NFI, TLI, RMSEA, SRMR. Superior model fit was ascertained by a chi-square difference test (p < .05).

RESULTS

For Cognitive Restraint, the interaction model demonstrated superior fit to the data (p < .05). The anxiety*stress interaction at Waves 1 and 2 was significantly negatively associated with Cognitive Restraint at Waves 2 (β = -0.18, p = .002) and 3 (β = -0.14, p = .002)-suggesting that anxiety and stress interacted to predict increased binge eating tendencies linked with cognitive restraint over and above their independent effects. In contrast, the interaction term between anxiety*stress did not predict levels of Uncontrolled Eating or Emotional Eating over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlight the importance of increasing awareness of the interaction between concurrently high anxiety and stress as a potential risk factor for binge eating tendencies in young people.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and eating disorders: maintaining mechanisms and treatment targets

Many individuals with lifetime histories of eating disorders (EDs) report exposure to interpersonal trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, this relationship is not well-understood, and there are no established, evidence-based therapies for the concurrent treatment of EDs and PTSD. This review focuses on studies of the mechanisms associating trauma exposure and/or PTSD with EDs. Possible mechanisms of the trauma-ED association identified from the literature include self-criticism, low self-worth, guilt, shame, depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, anger, and impulsivity/compulsivity. ED behaviors may be used as coping strategies to manage PTSD symptoms and negative affect. Avoidance of hyperarousal symptoms by engaging in binge eating, purging, and/or restriction may serve to maintain both the ED as well as the PTSD. Given the evidence of the bidirectional relationship between EDs and PTSD, we describe an integrated cognitive behavioral theory that may account for the persistence of comorbid PTSD and EDs. The integrated model is based on the theoretical models that underpin existing evidence-based treatments for PTSD and ED and incorporates many of the potential mechanisms highlighted to date. The primary aim of the model is to identify potential treatment targets as well as elucidate future directions for research.

Affect Dysregulation in Context: Implications and Future Directions of Experience Sampling Research on Affect Regulation Models of Loss of Control Eating

Loss of control eating is a core, transdiagnostic eating disorder symptom associated with psychological distress, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. However, the factors that contribute to persistent loss of control eating despite negative consequences are not fully understood. Understanding the mechanisms that maintain loss of control eating is crucial to advance treatments that interrupt these processes. Affect regulation models of loss of control eating hypothesize that negative emotions trigger loss of control eating, and that loss of control eating is negatively reinforced because it temporarily decreases negative affect. Several variations on this basic affect regulation model have been proposed, including theories suggesting that negative affect decreases during loss of control eating rather than afterwards (escape theory), and that loss of control eating replaces one negative emotion with another that is less aversive (trade-off theory). Experience sampling designs that measure negative affect and eating behavior multiple times per day are optimally suited to examining the nuanced predictions of these affect regulation models in people's everyday lives. This paper critically reviews experience sampling studies examining associations between negative affect and loss of control eating, and discusses the implications for different affect regulation models of loss of control eating. The review concludes by proposing an expanded affect-focused model of loss of control eating that incorporates trait-level individual differences and momentary biological and environmental variables to guide future research. Clinical implications and recommendations are discussed.

What are the emotions underlying feeling fat and fear of weight gain?

BACKGROUND

Eating disorders (EDs) are most always accompanied by cognitive-affective comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression. In addition to these common comorbidities, EDs are unique in that they are characterized by affective symptoms centered on body image and weight. Two of these primary, yet understudied, affective symptoms are feelings of fatness and fears of weight gain, which are theorized to be maintaining symptoms of EDs and are highly common in those with EDs. Despite the importance of these symptoms, there is no research characterizing which cognitive-affective symptoms contribute to feelings of fatness and fears of weight gain.

METHODS

The current study (N=168 individuals with an ED) tested cross-sectional and prospective models of cognitive-affect variables (negative affect, guilt, shame, fear of negative evaluation, anxiety sensitivity, and depression) to identify which thoughts and emotions were uniquely associated and prospectively predicted feelings of fatness and fear of weight gain.

RESULTS

Depression both cross-sectionally and prospectively predicted feeling fat over and above all other forms of affect. Fears of negative evaluation and depression were uniquely associated with fears of weight gain, and shame prospectively predicted fear of weight gain.

LIMITATIONS

Variables were self-reported, and the sample primarily consisted of women. Fear of weight gain and feelings of fatness were assessed using single items.

CONCLUSIONS

This research suggests that depression may be an important intervention target when individuals with an ED report feeling fat. Additionally, treatment targeting fear of negative evaluation, depression, and shame may decrease fears of weight gain.

A 1-day acceptance and commitment therapy workshop leads to reductions in emotional eating in adults

PURPOSE

Emotional eating has been defined as the tendency to overeat in response to negative emotions and is a symptom of emotion dysregulation. Interventions for emotional eating have been developed based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). However, these interventions only address emotional eating in the context of weight loss programs and are therefore not available in a weight neutral context.

METHODS

The present study aimed to test the feasibility and acceptability of a 1-day ACT workshop that taught skills to reduce emotional eating, without promoting weight loss. The workshop was delivered in a single day and aimed to reduce emotional eating by improving values clarification and commitment, acceptance, and mindfulness. Follow-ups were conducted at 2 weeks and 3 months post-intervention.

RESULTS

Results suggest feasibility and acceptability of the 1-day workshop; participants described appreciating the brevity of the program and its applicability to their everyday lives. Improvements in emotional eating were found at 2 weeks (t(31) = 5.80, p < 0.001) and 3 months (t(29) = 6.96, p < 0.001). A repeated measures MANOVA revealed a significant main effect of time (F(14, 96) = 4.98, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.421), with follow-up ANOVAs indicating that this effect held for all variables.

CONCLUSION

The results from this study can be used to inform a larger-scale randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy of the program in a larger sample and eventually disseminate it in other real-world settings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03744780.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, evidence obtained from multiple time series with the intervention.

Psychoform and somatoform dissociation in anorexia nervosa: A systematic review

Dissociation is a debilitating condition often present as comorbidity in patients with eating disorders, but to date only sparse findings are available on this topic. Additionally, very little data exist on the classification of dissociation, namely, psychoform and somatoform, in anorexia nervosa (AN). This review aimed to provide an updated view on the literature about dissociation in AN, with a focus on AN subtypes (i.e., restricter and binge-purging) as well as dissociation type (i.e., psychoform and somatoform), when available. We screened 304 studies, and after title and abstract selection and full-text reading, 29 of them were included in this review. Most of the studies investigated psychoform dissociation, whereas just four publications considered somatoform dissociation. Dissociation resulted to be present in AN more than in healthy controls and in individuals with other psychiatric disorders, and it was related mostly to the binge-purging subtype of AN. Moreover, dissociation was linked to traumatic events, self-harm and negative treatment outcomes, especially in patients affected by the binge-purging subtype of AN. However, results on these matters are scarce and partially discordant. The methodological assessment we performed revealed an overall fair quality of the included studies, although several flaws emerged as well. The present review reported on one hand the relevance of dissociation in AN, but on the other hand the need to stimulate the scientific debate on (a) a deeper investigation of somatoform dissociation in AN and (b) the relationship between dissociation and both clinical severity and treatment response/resistance in AN.

Psychoform and somatoform dissociation among individuals with eating disorders

Objective: This study analyzed the prevalence of psychoform and somatoform dissociation among individuals with the whole spectrum of eating disorder diagnoses and compared it with ratings from a non-clinical group. The relationship between dissociation and severity of eating disturbance was examined as well as differences between the eating disorder diagnosis groups in extent of dissociation. The validity of a new structural dissociation interview suitable for eating disorder patients was analyzed.Method: Sixty individuals with eating disorder completed three self-report questionnaires: Dissociation Questionnaire Sweden, Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. The ratings were compared with the scores in a female non-clinical group (N = 245). Twenty patients with eating disorder diagnoses were interviewed with the Interview for Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Related Symptoms. The validity of the interview was tested by comparing the ratings on the interview subscales with the scores on the Dissociation questionnaires and the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire.Results: Participants with eating disorders reported a higher extent of both psychoform and somatoform dissociation compared with the non-clinical individuals. Analyses also showed a correlation between degree of dissociation and severity of eating disorder symptoms. No differences in dissociation were found between the ED subgroups. Participants reporting more dissociation got higher ratings on the interview, indicating convergent validity.Discussion: Eating disorders seem to be associated with presence and severity of dissociative symptoms. The extent of dissociation needs to be assessed for these individuals as treatment may benefit from a focus on such symptoms in order to increase its effect.

Levels of childhood traumatic experiences and dissociative symptoms in extremely obese patients with and without binge eating disorder

Background: It has been suggested that obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED) show higher levels of dissociation and childhood trauma. Aim: This study assesses childhood trauma history and dissociative symptoms in obese patients with BED compared to obese patients without BED. Methods: The 241 patients participating in the study had to meet obesity criteria. These patients were applicants for bariatric surgery and were consulted by a psychiatry service. Patients were separated into two groups that were accompanied by BED diagnoses according to structured clinical interviews administered according to the DSM-IV (SCID-I). Patients were assessed using the Dissociation Questionnaire (DIS-Q) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The two groups of patients were compared. Results: A total of 75 (31.1%) of the 241 obese patients were diagnosed with BED. The study showed that obese patients with BED had higher dissociative scores than those without BED (p < .05). The results showed higher total scores and two different types of childhood trauma (physical abuse and emotional abuse) in BED patients compared to non-BED patients (p < .05). Conclusions: Clinicians should be fully aware of BED, dissociative symptoms and childhood traumatic experiences. These results show that, for at least a sub-group of obese patients, BED is associated with obesity and may be connected with dissociative symptoms and childhood physical abuse and emotional abuse.

Processes and pathways to binge eating: development of an integrated cognitive and behavioural model of binge eating

BACKGROUND

There are a number of factors commonly believed to be important to the development and maintenance of binge eating that have been identified across multiple models and theories in the psychological literature. In the present study, we sought to develop and test a psychological model for binge eating that incorporated the main variables identified in the literature to drive binge eating behaviour; specifically, core low self-esteem, negative affect, difficulty with emotional regulation, restricted eating and beliefs about eating.

METHODS

Questionnaire data was collected from 760 unselected participants. The proposed model of binge eating was developed, bivariate relationships between the included variables were assessed, and the goodness-of-fit of this new model was evaluated using structural equations modelling.

RESULT

The results identified significant bivariate relationships between all the included variables. While the originally proposed model did not provide a good fit to the data, the revised version of the model provided a good fit to the data.

CONCLUSIONS

Supporting, integrating and building upon the current existing psychological models of binge eating, this study presents a new integrated cognitive and behavioural model of binge eating. The dual-pathway to binge eating identified in the new model provides a different way to understand transdiagnostic binge eating.

Momentary predictors of binge eating: An attachment perspective

INTRODUCTION

According to attachment theory, individuals who are preoccupied with the possibility of rejection are prone to emotion dysregulation, which research has found to be related to disordered eating. The current study examined naturalistic momentary relationships between binge eating, depressive symptoms, emotion dysregulation, and attachment anxiety.

METHOD

Participants were 55 undergraduate women who owned a mobile phone and who had binge eaten at least once during the past 28 days. All participants were screened to confirm the presence of binge eating and then completed trait measures of attachment anxiety. Participants then received seven text messages per day for 14 days. Texts contained links to state measures of depressive symptoms, state emotion dysregulation, and recent binge eating.

RESULTS

Momentary depressive symptoms predicted subsequent binge eating. Aspects of emotion dysregulation (i.e., nonacceptance of emotional responses and difficulty modulating one's emotions) mediated the relationship between attachment anxiety and binge eating.

DISCUSSION

Depressed mood often triggers binge eating. Additionally, attachment anxiety seems to predict binge eating through emotion dysregulation. Interventions for binge eating should address both attachment anxiety and emotion dysregulation in order to maximize therapeutic benefit.

Attentional Conflict Moderates the Association Between Anxiety and Emotional Eating Behavior: An ERP Study

Emotional eating is an attempt to avoid, control, or cope with negative emotions through eating a large amount of calorie dense sweet and/or high fat foods. Several factors, including various attentional mechanisms, negative affect, and stress, impact emotional eating behavior. For example, attentional narrowing on negative events may increase attentional stickiness and thereby prevent the processing of more peripheral events, such as eating behavior. This study contributes to the extant literature by examining the neural correlates underlying the attentional conflict between processing negative events and regulating behavior within a task that emulates how negative life experiences might contribute to unrestrained eating behavior. We explore this question within a normative sample that varies in their self-reported anxiety symptoms. Dense-array EEG was collected while participants played the attentional blink game—a task in which excessive attentional resource allocated to one event (e.g., negative picture) interferes with the adequate attentional processing of a second event that requires action. To assess the attentional conflict, we measured N2 activation, an event-related potentials (ERPs; averaged EEG) associated with conflict processing. Results revealed that N2 activation moderates the association between anxiety and emotional-eating behavior. Thus, increased anxiety combined with more negative N2 activation can contribute to emotional-eating behavior. These results are discussed in the context of ineffective conflict processing contributing to poor emotion regulation.

Conceptualising Binge Eating: A Review of the Theoretical and Empirical Literature

Binge eating is a distressing symptom common to bulimia nervosa (BN), anorexia nervosa binge/purge subtype (AN-BP) and binge-eating disorder (BED). Over the last 40 years, many attempts have been made to conceptualise this symptom in terms of its antecedents, function, triggers, consequences, and maintaining factors. Cognitive theories of binge eating have evolved as new evidence has emerged. This literature review summarises the main and most influential cognitive models of binge eating across different eating disorder presentations. Many theories have examined binge eating in the context of restriction or compensatory behaviours, as is often observed in cases of BN. Few theories have examined binge eating as it occurs in BED specifically. The long-term efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment based on these models leaves much to be desired, and indicates that there may be maintaining factors of binge eating not addressed in the typical CBT treatment for eating disorders. More recent cognitive models of binge eating propose possible maintaining beliefs, but further study is required to validate these models. Suggestions for future research are presented.

Body Esteem as a Common Factor of a Tendency Toward Binge Eating and Sexual Dissatisfaction Among Women: The Role of Dissociation and Stress Response During Sex

BACKGROUND

Several studies have suggested a relevant overlap between eating disorders and sexual dysfunction involving the emotional component of body image esteem and dissociative experiences.

AIM

To evaluate the common maintaining factors of sexual dysfunction and vulnerability to pathologic eating behaviors and their relation to a physiologic stress response.

METHODS

In the present cross-sectional study, we evaluated a non-clinical sample of 60 heterosexual women (25-35 years old) for dissociation during sex with a partner, body image disturbance, and tendency toward pathologic eating behaviors. We also evaluated the stress-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation in response to a sexual stimulus and its association with binge eating and dissociation.

OUTCOMES

Participants completed the Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale, the Sexual Satisfaction Scale-Women, the Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults, and the Eating Attitudes Test Short Version. Furthermore, we assessed cortisol levels before, during, and after exposure to explicit sexual stimuli shown within a laboratory setting.

RESULTS

Dysfunctional body image esteem and a tendency toward binge-eating behaviors were associated with greater sexual distress in women. In particular, body esteem was significantly associated with greater dissociation during sex with a partner. Moreover, women who reported greater dissociation during sex with a partner and a tendency toward binge-eating behaviors showed higher levels of cortisol in response to sexual stimuli.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

These results support further research based on trans-diagnostic treatments targeted to dissociation and body image esteem, which could lessen sexual dysfunction and vulnerability to pathologic eating behaviors.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

Despite the small sample and self-reported questionnaires, this is the first study to consider the association of the stress response during sexual stimuli with sexual distress and with pathologic eating behaviors adopting a dimensional approach.

CONCLUSION

Body uneasiness and dissociation represented factors underlying pathologic eating behaviors and sexual dysfunction. Women reporting a tendency toward binge-eating episodes and dissociation during sexual experiences represented a subpopulation with a higher stress response during sexual stimuli. Castellini G, Lo Sauro C, Ricca V, Rellini AH. Body Esteem as a Common Factor of a Tendency Toward Binge Eating and Sexual Dissatisfaction Among Women: The Role of Dissociation and Stress Response During Sex. J Sex Med 2017;14:1036-1045.

Comfortably Numb: The Role of Momentary Dissociation in the Experience of Negative Affect Around Binge Eating

Evidence suggests that both dissociation and negative affect (NA) may precipitate binge eating. The extent to which dissociation may impact the experience of NA around binge eating is unclear. Women with bulimia nervosa completed a 2-week ecological momentary assessment protocol of dissociation, NA, and binge eating. Multilevel modeling was used to examine dissociation as a moderator of NA before and after binge eating. NA was greater at the time of binge eating for participants higher in average dissociation (between subjects) and when momentary dissociation was greater than one's average (within subjects). The trajectory of NA was characterized by a sharper increase before binge eating for participants higher in average dissociation; the NA trajectories were characterized by sharper increases before and decreases after binge eating when momentary dissociation was greater than one's average. Results support the salience of both dissociation and NA in relation to the occurrence of binge eating.

The role of shame in emotional eating

Two studies were conducted to examine the role of shame in emotional eating. In the first study, 250 women (mean age: 29.95±8.78years; body mass index: 22.46±5.76) reported their experiences of one negative self-conscious emotion (shame), two negative non-self-conscious emotions (anxiety, depression), and emotional eating. With anxiety and depression controlled for, shame predicted depressive, anxious, angry, and positive emotional eating. In the second study, negative non-self-conscious (anxiety) and self-conscious emotions (shame) were induced in participants. Five types of snack were used in the study. Emotional eating was measured by determining participants' binge impulse, actual food intake, and pleasure in eating the five types of snack. Ninety-one female participants were randomly assigned to either an anxiety-with-shame (n=45; mean age: 22.46±3.22years; body mass index: 20.57±5.42) or anxiety group (mean age: 21.89±2.97years; body mass index: 21.21±5.58). Participants in the anxiety-with-shame group reported a greater binge impulse relative to those in the anxiety group. Actual food intake and pleasure in eating the five snacks did not differ significantly between the two groups. Implications of these findings were discussed.

Does cognitive avoidance mediate the relation of anxiety and binge eating?

PURPOSE

Theory suggests that binge eating symptoms may develop in an attempt to avoid distressing states that arise in the context of negative affect. In light of its theoretical significance, including the "escape from awareness" model of binge eating, surprisingly few empirical evaluations have examined the empirical evidence for this variable in relation to anxiety and binge eating symptoms. In addition, although it is understood that anxiety is more prevalent among women than men, empirical investigations of gender differences in cognitive avoidance in binge eating are thus far absent from the published literature.

METHODS

Participants (N = 436) were recruited from diverse geographic regions across the United States to take part in an online study. Cognitive avoidance, anxiety, and binge eating measures were collected.

RESULTS

Cognitive avoidance partially mediated the relation between anxiety and binge eating in the full sample; however, results differed across genders. Specifically, cognitive avoidance was a mediator for women, but not for men.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings support the "escape from awareness" model of binge eating among women, and suggest that targeting cognitive avoidance in binge eating treatment may be a promising clinical avenue. Future research may benefit from exploring the broader construct of experiential avoidance to determine if the gender differences in cognitive avoidance observed in this study are indicative of a larger pattern of avoidance behavior, and if factors other than cognitive avoidance may have greater relevance for men.

The relationship between high residential density in student dormitories and anxiety, binge eating and Internet addiction: a study of Chinese college students

Context

Although various studies have indicated that high residential density may affect health and psychological outcomes, to our knowledge, there have been no studies regarding the predictive nature of crowded living conditions on binge eating and the use of the Internet as coping strategies.

Methods

A total of 1048 Chinese college students (540 males and 508 females) were randomly selected and asked to complete a battery of questionnaires that included the Zung’s Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, the Internet Addiction Test, and Rosenbaum’s Self-Control Scale. Binge eating behaviors and compensatory behaviors were also reported, and variables about residential density were measured.

Results

Among female participants, binge eating scores were significantly predicted by anxiety caused by high-density living conditions (P = 0.008), and similarly, the frequency of compensatory behaviors was significantly predicted by anxiety caused by high-density living conditions (P = 0.000) and self-control (P = 0.003). Furthermore, the Internet Addiction Test scores were significantly predicted by the anxiety caused by high -density living conditions (P = 0.000) and self-control (P = 0.000). Among male participants, not only were the binge eating scores significantly predicted by the anxiety caused by high-density living conditions (P = 0.000) and self-control (P = 0.000), but the frequency of compensatory behaviors was also significantly predicted by the anxiety caused by high-density living conditions (P = 0.000) and self-control (P = 0.01). Furthermore, Internet Addiction Test scores were significantly predicted by anxiety caused by high-density living conditions (P = 0.000) and self-control (P = 0.000). It was further found that for both genders, subjective factors such as self-control, and the anxiety caused by high-density living conditions had a stronger impact on Internet addiction than objective factors, such as the size of the student’s dormitory room. Moreover, self-control was found to act as a moderator in the relationship between anxiety and Internet addiction among male participants.

Conclusion

Binge eating and Internet use could be considered coping strategies for Chinese college students facing high residential density in their dormitories.

Reciprocal associations between negative affect, binge eating, and purging in the natural environment in women with bulimia nervosa

Although negative affect (NA) has been identified as a common trigger for bulimic behaviors, findings regarding NA following such behaviors have been mixed. This study examined reciprocal associations between NA and bulimic behaviors using real-time, naturalistic data. Participants were 133 women with bulimia nervosa (BN) according to the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders who completed a 2-week ecological momentary assessment protocol in which they recorded bulimic behaviors and provided multiple daily ratings of NA. A multilevel autoregressive cross-lagged analysis was conducted to examine concurrent, first-order autoregressive, and prospective associations between NA, binge eating, and purging across the day. Results revealed positive concurrent associations between all variables across all time points, as well as numerous autoregressive associations. For prospective associations, higher NA predicted subsequent bulimic symptoms at multiple time points; conversely, binge eating predicted lower NA at multiple time points, and purging predicted higher NA at 1 time point. Several autoregressive and prospective associations were also found between binge eating and purging. This study used a novel approach to examine NA in relation to bulimic symptoms, contributing to the existing literature by directly examining the magnitude of the associations, examining differences in the associations across the day, and controlling for other associations in testing each effect in the model. These findings may have relevance for understanding the etiology and/or maintenance of bulimic symptoms, as well as potentially informing psychological interventions for BN.

Life adverse experiences in relation with obesity and binge eating disorder: A systematic review

Background and aims Several studies report a positive association between adverse life experiences and adult obesity. Despite the high comorbidity between binge eating disorder (BED) and obesity, few authors have studied the link between trauma and BED. In this review the association between exposure to adverse life experiences and a risk for the development of obesity and BED in adulthood is explored. Methods Based on a scientific literature review in Medline, PubMed and PsycInfo databases, the results of 70 studies (N = 306,583 participants) were evaluated including 53 studies on relationship between adverse life experiences and obesity, 7 studies on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in relation to obesity, and 10 studies on the association between adverse life experiences and BED. In addition, mediating factors between the association of adverse life experiences, obesity and BED were examined. Results The majority of studies (87%) report that adverse life experiences are a risk factor for developing obesity and BED. More precisely a positive association between traumatic experiences and obesity and PTSD and obesity were found, respectively, in 85% and 86% of studies. Finally, the great majority of studies (90%) between trauma and the development of BED in adulthood strongly support this association. Meanwhile, different factors mediating between the trauma and obesity link were identified. Discussion and conclusions Although research data show a strong association between life adverse experiences and the development of obesity and BED, more research is needed to explain this association.

Does the interpersonal model apply across eating disorder diagnostic groups? A structural equation modeling approach

BACKGROUND

Interpersonal model has been validated with binge-eating disorder (BED), but it is not yet known if the model applies across a range of eating disorders (ED).

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to investigate the validity of the interpersonal model in anorexia nervosa (restricting type; ANR and binge-eating/purge type; ANBP), bulimia nervosa (BN), BED, and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS).

PROCEDURE

Data from a cross-sectional sample of 1459 treatment-seeking women diagnosed with ANR, ANBP, BN, BED and EDNOS were examined for indirect effects of interpersonal problems on ED psychopathology mediated through negative affect.

RESULTS

Findings from structural equation modeling demonstrated the mediating role of negative affect in four of the five diagnostic groups. There were significant, medium to large (.239, .558), indirect effects in the ANR, BN, BED and EDNOS groups but not in the ANBP group. The results of the first reverse model of interpersonal problems as a mediator between negative affect and ED psychopathology were nonsignificant, suggesting the specificity of these hypothesized paths. However, in the second reverse model ED psychopathology was related to interpersonal problems indirectly through negative affect.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to find support for the interpersonal model of ED in a clinical sample of women with diverse ED diagnoses, though there may be a reciprocal relationship between ED psychopathology and relationship problems through negative affect. Negative affect partially explains the relationship between interpersonal problems and ED psychopathology in women diagnosed with ANR, BN, BED and EDNOS. Interpersonal psychotherapies for ED may be addressing the underlying interpersonal-affective difficulties, thereby reducing ED psychopathology.

Behavioral and neurodevelopmental precursors to binge-type eating disorders: support for the role of negative valence systems

BACKGROUND

Pediatric loss-of-control (LOC) eating is a robust behavioral precursor to binge-type eating disorders. Elucidating precursors to LOC eating and binge-type eating disorders may refine developmental risk models of eating disorders and inform interventions.

METHOD

We review evidence within constructs of the Negative Valence Systems (NVS) domain, as specified by the Research Domain Criteria framework. Based on published studies, we propose an integrated NVS model of binge-type eating-disorder risk.

RESULTS

Data implicate altered corticolimbic functioning, neuroendocrine dysregulation, and self-reported negative affect as possible risk factors. However, neuroimaging and physiological data in children and adolescents are sparse, and most prospective studies are limited to self-report measures.

CONCLUSIONS

We discuss a broad NVS framework for conceptualizing early risk for binge-type eating disorders. Future neural and behavioral research on the developmental trajectory of LOC and binge-type eating disorders is required.

Cognitive and emotional functioning in binge-eating disorder: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating and is associated with eating disorder and general psychopathology and overweight/obesity. Deficits in cognitive and emotional functioning for eating disorders or obesity have been reported. However, a systematic review on cognitive and emotional functioning for individuals with BED is lacking.

METHOD

A systematic literature search was conducted across three databases (Medline, PubMed, and PsycINFO). Overall, n = 57 studies were included in the present review.

RESULTS

Regarding cognitive functioning (CoF), individuals with BED consistently demonstrated higher information processing biases compared to obese and normal-weight controls in the context of disorder-related stimuli (i.e., food and body cues), whereas CoF in the context of neutral stimuli appeared to be less affected. Thus, results suggest disorder-related rather than general difficulties in CoF in BED. With respect to emotional functioning (EmF), individuals with BED reported difficulties similar to individuals with other eating disorders, with a tendency to show less severe difficulties in some domains. In addition, individuals with BED reported greater emotional deficits when compared to obese and normal-weight controls. Findings suggest general difficulties in EmF in BED. Thus far, however, investigations of EmF in disorder-relevant situations are lacking.

DISCUSSION

Overall, the cross-sectional findings indicate BED to be associated with difficulties in CoF and EmF. Future research should determine the nature of these difficulties, in regards to general and disorder-related stimuli, and consider interactions of both domains to foster the development and improvement of appropriate interventions in BED.

Central coherence in adolescents with bulimia nervosa spectrum eating disorders

BACKGROUND

Weak central coherence-a tendency to process details at the expense of the gestalt-has been observed among adults with bulimia nervosa (BN) and is a potential candidate endophenotype for eating disorders (EDs). However, as BN behaviors typically onset during adolescence it is important to assess central coherence in this younger age group to determine whether the findings in adults are likely a result of BN or present earlier in the evolution of the disorder. This study examines whether the detail-oriented and fragmented cognitive inefficiency observed among adults with BN is observable among adolescents with shorter illness duration, relative to healthy controls.

METHOD

The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) was administered to a total of 47 adolescents with DSM5 BN, 42 with purging disorder (PD), and 25 healthy controls (HC). Performance on this measure was compared across the three groups.

RESULTS

Those with BN and PD demonstrated significantly worse accuracy scores compared to controls in the copy and delayed recall condition with a moderate effect size. These findings were exacerbated when symptoms of BN increased.

DISCUSSION

Poorer accuracy scores reflect a fragmented and piecemeal strategy that interferes with visual-spatial integration in BN spectrum disorders. This cognitive inefficiency likely contributes to broad difficulties in executive functioning in this population especially in the context of worsening bulimic symptoms. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that poor global integration may constitute a cognitive endophenotype for BN.

Binge eating as a meaningful experience in bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa: a qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND

Clinical studies describe binge eating as a reaction to hunger, negative affect, or the need to dissociate. However, little is known about the meanings that women with bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa associate with binge eating.

AIMS

To examine how women with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa interpret their experiences of binge eating.

METHODS

Sixteen women who engaged in binge eating and had been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or their subclinical variants were interviewed about their experiences of eating disorder. Interview data were analyzed using phenomenologically-informed thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Participants described binge eating as a practice through which the self experiences a sense of release, and existential emptiness is replaced by overwhelming fullness.

CONCLUSION

Meaningful experiences of release and fullness are central to binge eating in bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, and may contribute to the long-term maintenance of this practice.

Temperament and emotional eating: a crucial relationship in eating disorders

Specific personality traits are related to Eating Disorders (EDs) specific and general psychopathology. Recent studies suggested that Emotional Eating (EE) is a common dimension in all EDs, irrespective of binge eating. The present study was aimed to explore the relationship of temperamental features with EE and eating symptomatology in a sample of EDs patients, adjusting for general psychopathology. One hundred and sixty six female patients were enrolled at the Eating Disorders Outpatient Clinic of the Careggi Teaching-Hospital of Florence. Participants completed the emotional eating scale, the temperament and character inventory, the eating disorder examination questionnaire and the symptom checklist 90-revised. Novelty seeking and self directedness showed significant correlations with EE after adjustment for general psychopathology. Patients with binge eating displayed significant associations between EE and novelty seeking and self directedness. Among patients without binge eating, no significant correlation between EE and temperamental features was observed. Specific temperamental features are associated to EE in EDs. A clear, different pattern of association in patients with different eating attitudes and behavior was found. Considering that treatments of EDs are largely based on psychotherapeutic interventions, focused on emotions and cognitions, the present data provide some hints which could be helpful for the development of more appropriate psychotherapeutic strategies.

Development of an ecological momentary assessment scale for appetite

Background

An understanding of eating behaviors is an important element of health education and treatment in clinical populations. To understand the biopsychosocial profile of eating behaviors in an ecologically valid way, ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is appropriate because its use is able to overcome the recall bias in patient-reported outcomes (PROs). As appetite is a key PRO associated with eating behaviors, this study was done to develop an EMA scale to evaluate the within-individual variation of momentary appetite and uses this scale to discuss the relationships between appetite and various psychological factors.

Methods

Twenty healthy participants (age 23.6 ± 4.2 years old) wore a watch-type computer for a week. Several times a day, including just before and after meals, they recorded their momentary psychological stress, mood states, and ten items related to appetite. In addition, they recorded everything they ate and drank into a personal digital assistant (PDA)-based food diary. Multilevel factor analysis was used to investigate the factor structure of the scale, and the reliability and validity of the scale were also explored.

Results

Multilevel factor analyses found two factors at the within-individual level (hunger/fullness and cravings) and one factor at the between-individual level. Medians for the individually calculated Cronbach’s alphas were 0.89 for hunger/fullness, 0.71 for cravings, and 0.86 for total appetite (the sum of all items). Hunger/fullness, cravings, and total appetite all decreased significantly after meals compared with those before meals, and hunger/fullness, cravings, and total appetite before meals were positively associated with energy intake. There were significant negative associations between both hunger/fullness and total appetite and anxiety and depression as well as between cravings, and depression, anxiety and stress.

Conclusions

The within-individual reliability of the EMA scale to assess momentary appetite was confirmed in most subjects and it was also validated as a useful tool to understand eating behaviors in daily settings. Further refinement of the scale is necessary and further investigations need to be conducted, particularly on clinical populations.

Two pathways toward impulsive action: an integrative risk model for bulimic behavior in youth

BACKGROUND

This study provides an integrative review of existing risk factors and models for bulimia nervosa (BN) in young girls. We offer a new model for BN that describes two pathways of risk that may lead to the initial impulsive act of binge eating and purging in children and adolescents.

SCOPE

We conducted a selective literature review, focusing on existing and new risk processes for BN in this select population.

FINDINGS

We identify two ways in which girls increase their risk to begin engaging in the impulsive behavior of binge eating and purging. The first is state-based: the experience of negative mood, in girls attempting to restrain eating, leads to the depletion of self-control and thus increased risk for loss of control eating. The second is personality-based: elevations on the trait of negative urgency, or the tendency to act rashly when distressed, increase risk, particularly in conjunction with high-risk psychosocial learning. We then briefly discuss how these behaviors are reinforced, putting girls at further risk for developing BN.

CONCLUSIONS

We highlight several areas in which further inquiry is necessary, and we discuss the clinical implications of the new risk model we described.

Self-control and parental control mediate the relationship between negative emotions and emotional eating among adolescents

OBJECTIVES

The study was conducted to simultaneously investigate the mediating effects of parental control and adolescents' self-control on the relationship between adolescents' negative emotions and emotional eating, and to determine pathways with the greatest effect among these variables.

METHODS

Negative emotions, emotional eating, parental control, and self-control were investigated in 594 high school students (average age=16.70, SD=1.09) in Changsha City, China.

RESULTS

High levels of negative emotions and parental control and low levels of self-control were strongly related to high levels of emotional eating in adolescents. In addition to the direct relationship between negative emotions and emotional eating, there was a mediating effect observed through low self-control and high parental control. The mediational effect of parental control was non-significant in adolescent boys. Furthermore, negative emotions related to emotional eating through the effect of parental control on adolescents' self-control. The degree to which both mediators explained the relationship between negative emotions and emotional eating ranged from 52.6% to 66.8%, and self-control had a stronger mediational effect than did parental control.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that both self-control and parental control should be considered in designing preventative measures against emotional eating in adolescents. Adolescent self-control training could also assist in preventing emotional eating.

Emotional dysregulation and anxiety control in the psychopathological mechanism underlying drive for thinness

Emotional dysregulation is a process which consists in mitigating, intensifying, or maintaining a given emotion and is the trigger for some psychological disorders. Research has shown that an anxiety control plays an important role in emotional expression and regulation and, in addition, for anorexia nervosa (AN) and, more in general, in drive for thinness. Scientific literature suggests that in AN there is a core of emotional dysregulation and anxiety control. The aim of this study is to explore the roles of emotional dysregulation and anxiety control as independent or third variables in a mediational regression model related to drive for thinness. One hundred fifty-four clinical individuals with anorexia participated in the study and all completed a set of self-report questionnaires: eating disorders inventory version 3 (EDI-3), DERS, and the anxiety control questionnaire. The data confirmed a mediational model in which the relation between emotional dysregulation and drive for thinness is mediated by anxiety control. The current study partially supports a clinical model in which emotional dysregulation is a distal factor in eating disorders while the mediator variable anxiety control is a proximal factor in the psychopathological process underlying it.

Course and moderators of emotional eating in anorectic and bulimic patients: a follow-up study

Emotion dysregulation has been found to be associated with specific eating attitudes and behavior in Eating Disorder (ED) patients. The present study evaluated whether emotional eating profile of ED patients changes over time and the possible effects of a psychotherapeutic intervention on the emotional eating dimension. One hundred and two ED patients (28 with Anorexia Nervosa restricting type [AN-R], 35 with Anorexia Nervosa binge/purging subtype [AN-B/P] and 39 with Bulimia Nervosa [BN]) were evaluated at baseline, at the end of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, at 3 and 6 year follow-up. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV Axis I Disorders, the Emotional Eating Scale (EES) and several self-reported questionnaires for eating specific and general psychopathology were applied. A control group of 86 healthy subjects was also studied, in order to compare psychopathological variables at baseline. A significant EES total score reduction was observed among AN-B/P and BN patients, whereas no significant change was found in the AN-R group. Mixed Models analyses showed that a significant effect on EES total score variation was found for cocaine or amphetamine abuse (b = .25; p < .01). Patients who assumed these substances reported no significant EES reduction across time, unlike other patients. The present results suggest that ED patients with a history of cocaine or amphetamine abuse represent a sub-population of patients with lasting dysfunctional mood modulatory mechanisms.

Cravings and food consumption in Binge Eating Disorder

The purpose of this study was to extend existing work that examines the role of cravings in Binge Eating Disorder (BED). The current study uses a case-control design to establish a relationship between cravings and food exposure, and between cravings and food consumption in individuals diagnosed with BED. Twenty-nine females with BED, 40 obese controls, and 50 normal-weight controls were first presented with a neutral cue and completed a food-craving measure. They were then presented with their favourite snack food and completed the craving measure again, after which they were allowed to consume the food. The BED group had significantly higher scores for pre- and post-craving measures, and consumed more food compared to the controls. There was, however, no significant interaction between group and craving scores. Results also showed a positive correlation between food consumption and cravings scores both before and after food exposure for individuals with BED. The findings suggest that the level of cravings prior to food exposure may be sufficient to predict overeating in BED and that treatment may want to target this as a defining feature that differentiates individuals with BED from those who do not binge eat.

Hard exercise, affect lability, and personality among individuals with bulimia nervosa

The current study explores the personality traits of compulsivity (e.g., sense of orderliness and duty to perform tasks completely) and restricted expression (e.g., emotion expression difficulties) as potential moderators of the relation between affect lability and frequency of hard exercise episodes in a sample of individuals with bulimic pathology. Participants were 204 adult females recruited in five Midwestern cities who met criteria for threshold or subthreshold bulimia nervosa (BN). Compulsivity was found to significantly moderate the relation between affect lability and number of hard exercise episodes over the past 28 days, such that among those with high compulsivity, level of affect lability was associated with the number of hard exercise episodes; whereas, among those with low compulsivity, affect lability was not associated with the number of hard exercise episodes. The same pattern of findings emerged for restricted expression; however, this finding approached, but did not reach statistical significance. As such, it appears that affect lability is differentially related to hard exercise among individuals with BN depending upon the level of compulsivity and, to a more limited extent, restricted expression. These results suggest that, for individuals with BN with either compulsivity or restricted expression, focusing treatment on increasing flexibility and/or verbal expression of emotions may help in the context of intense, fluctuating affect.

Ecological momentary assessment of stressful events and negative affect in bulimia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

Negative affect precedes binge eating and purging in bulimia nervosa (BN), but little is known about factors that precipitate negative affect in relation to these behaviors. We aimed to assess the temporal relation among stressful events, negative affect, and bulimic events in the natural environment using ecological momentary assessment.

METHOD

A total of 133 women with current BN recorded their mood, eating behavior, and the occurrence of stressful events every day for 2 weeks. Multilevel structural equation mediation models evaluated the relations among Time 1 stress measures (i.e., interpersonal stressors, work/environment stressors, general daily hassles, and stress appraisal), Time 2 negative affect, and Time 2 binge eating and purging, controlling for Time 1 negative affect.

RESULTS

Increases in negative affect from Time 1 to Time 2 significantly mediated the relations between Time 1 interpersonal stressors, work/environment stressors, general daily hassles, and stress appraisal and Time 2 binge eating and purging. When modeled simultaneously, confidence intervals for interpersonal stressors, general daily hassles, and stress appraisal did not overlap, suggesting that each had a distinct impact on negative affect in relation to binge eating and purging.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that stress precedes the occurrence of bulimic behaviors and that increases in negative affect following stressful events mediate this relation. Results suggest that stress and subsequent negative affect may function as maintenance factors for bulimic behaviors and should be targeted in treatment.

The Role of Anxiety in Binge Eating Behavior: A Critical Examination of Theory and Empirical Literature

The purpose of this manuscript is to expand the understanding of binge eating by reviewing the role of aspects of negative affect. Specifically, this paper will present evidence for further investigation of the bearing that anxiety may have in binge eating development and maintenance. A comprehensive review of the literature regarding the relation of binge eating and anxiety was performed. Valuable contributions have been made to the binge eating literature regarding some aspects of negative affect (i.e., depression); however, outside of bulimia nervosa studies, much of the theoretical and empirical binge eating research to date has not directly addressed the role of anxiety. Research supports expansion of investigations of negative emotionality and binge eating to include specific study of anxiety. Greater inclusivity and specificity in the unique contributions of various negative emotions may further the development of temporal models and intervention efforts.