Childhood maltreatment in women with binge-eating disorder: Associations with psychiatric comorbidity, psychological functioning, and eating pathology

Abstract

To examine correlates of childhood maltreatment in women with binge-eating disorder (BED). Semistructured interviews evaluated 137 women with BED for psychiatric disorders and eating psychopathology, and self-reported childhood maltreatment was assessed. Emotional abuse was reported by 52% of participants, physical abuse by 28%, sexual abuse by 31%, emotional neglect by 66%, and physical neglect by 48%. Maltreatment categories were not associated with most lifetime psychiatric diagnoses, although specific associations were observed for dysthymic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and alcohol use disorders. Few associations were noted with eating pathology, but most forms of childhood maltreatment were negatively associated with self-esteem. Women with BED report rates of childhood maltreatment comparable to those for clinical groups, and much higher than community samples. Although prevalent in women with BED, childhood maltreatment is not generally associated with variability in eating pathology or with psychiatric comorbidity, but is associated with lower self-esteem.