B - 76 Resilience and Executive Function: Protective Factors for Mental Health Professionals’ Eating Behaviors

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Eating disorders (EDs) affect 30 million individuals in the United States with serious health consequences, including fatality. Their impact on mental health professionals (MHPs) working with eating disorder (ED) populations remains understudied. This study aimed to examine the relationship between MHPs’ eating behaviors and potential protective factors. Method Professionals (N = 100) completed a survey of demographic information, ED symptoms, resilience, and executive functioning (EF) skills, and completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), and the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Adult Version (BRIEF-A). Results Nearly half of the participants (44%) indicated current work with ED populations and an average of 6.74 (SD = 9.76) years spent treating individuals with EDs. MHPs reported spending an average of 9% (SD = 16) of their current work-week with ED populations and endorsed ED work-specific stress as a contributor to their eating habits, with one third of MHPs endorsing sub-clinical ED behaviors. Resilience and EF appeared as significant protective factors against ED symptoms (ps < 0.05). GEC, BRI, and MI separately accounted for significant amounts of variance in EDE-Q scores (R2 = 0.12; R2 = 0.08; R2 = 0.13, respectively). There were no significant interactions between time working with individuals with EDs and EF scores on EDE-Q scores (p = ns). Conclusions This study is the first to examine ED behaviors, EF, and resilience in MHPs, revealing that resilience and EF serve as protective factors. Such qualities appear critical in preventing the development or exacerbation of professionals’ mental health symptoms.