The relationship between difficulties in the regulation of positive and negative emotions and binge-eating symptoms in young adults

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It is well-established that binge-eating (BE) is linked to emotion regulation (ER) difficulties. However, research to date has focused almost exclusively on difficulties regulating negative emotions, with little attention to the relationship between positive emotion dysregulation and BE. Further, research is inconclusive regarding which specific facets of ER difficulties are most strongly associated with BE behaviour. Therefore, the current study examined whether difficulties regulating both negative as well as positive emotions explained unique variance in BE among young adults. The study also aimed to identify which particular dimensions of negative and positive ER difficulties were most strongly related to BE symptoms. Participants (N = 449) ages 18–25 completed self-report measures of difficulties regulating positive and negative emotions, BE symptoms, and psychological distress. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that BE was related to difficulties regulating both positive emotions and negative emotions, after controlling for psychological distress and BMI. Lack of emotional clarity and lack of access to ER strategies when faced with strong negative emotions were the facets of negative ER difficulties most strongly associated with BE. Impulsivity when experiencing strong positive emotions was the facet of positive ER difficulties most strongly associated with BE. These findings support the ER model of BE and suggest that difficulties regulating both positive and negative emotions contribute to BE among young adults.