Abstract
Recent work using naturalistic, repeated, ambulatory assessment approaches have uncovered a range of within-person mood- and body image-related dynamics (such as fluctuation of mood and body dissatisfaction) that can prospectively predict eating disorder behaviors (e.g., a binge episode following an increase in negative mood). The prognostic significance of these state-based dynamics for predicting trait-level eating disorder severity, however, remains largely unexplored. The present study uses within-person relationships among state levels of negative mood, body image, and dieting as predictors of baseline, trait-level eating pathology, captured prior to a period of state-based data capture. Two-hundred and sixty women from the general population completed baseline measures of trait eating pathology and demographics, followed by a 7 to 10-day ecological momentary assessment phase comprising items measuring state body dissatisfaction, negative mood, upward appearance comparisons, and dietary restraint administered 6 times daily. Regression-based analyses showed that, in combination, state-based dynamics accounted for 34–43% variance explained in trait eating pathology, contingent on eating disorder symptom severity. Present findings highlight the viability of within-person, state-based dynamics as predictors of baseline trait-level disordered eating severity. Longitudinal testing is needed to determine whether these dynamics account for changes in disordered eating over time.
Highlights
Eating disorders (EDs) are common, with a combined estimated prevalence of up to 16% across the key subtypes of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder [1,2]
Associations among state-based constructs showed that, for the sample overall, state body dissatisfaction tended to increase the likelihood of upward comparisons and dietary restraint, negative mood states increased the likelihood of dietary restraint, and that engaging in dietary restraint was associated with reduced state body dissatisfaction and negative mood
A wide range of biological, psychological, and environmental risk factors for EDs have been theorized and empirically tested [4,34,35]. Many of these putative risk factors could be operationalized in state or trait terms, limited research attention has been given to assess how state-based dynamics may contribute to prediction of ED symptom severity and progression
Summary
Eating disorders (EDs) are common, with a combined estimated prevalence of up to 16% across the key subtypes of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder [1,2]. Important differences exist between these subtypes of eating disorders, food-related concerns are common to all and their differences exist primarily along dimensions of weight status, amount of food consumed, appearance-related concerns, and compensatory behaviors in response to weight goals or food consumption [3]. These ED characteristics can be conceived in both state and trait terms. The dominant paradigm for risk detection is prospective studies of stable, trait-like predictors of EDs [4], with ED operationalized in terms of persistence of symptoms (i.e., a trait perspective) rather than as fleeting instances of ED cognitions and behaviors in daily life. Drawing upon cognitive and emotion-focused models of ED onset and maintenance, the present study tests several plausible state-based candidates for statistical prediction of current ED status
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
