Variance In Eating Disorder Psychopathology Research Articles

Self-compassion explains substantially more variance in eating disorder psychopathology and associated impairment than mindfulness

This study aimed to (1) examine the unique role of mindfulness and self-compassion on eating disorder (ED) psychopathology and functional impairment, and (2) compare levels of mindfulness and self-compassion between health controls and individuals categorized with bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge-eating disorder (BED). Data were analyzed from 1101 community-based participants, of which 145 met criteria for BN, 150 for BED, and 286 for healthy controls. Results from a series of multiple regressions revealed that self-compassion accounted for substantially more variance in ED psychopathology and functional impairment than mindfulness in the total sample and across the three subgroups, at times explaining 20 times more variance than mindfulness. Results remained unchanged when excluding the mindfulness subscale from the Self-Compassion Scale. When comparing these variables across the three study groups, results showed that self-compassion and mindfulness levels were lowest in the BN group, followed by the BED group, and then the healthy control group. Findings overall suggest that non-judgmental awareness may be less important in explaining levels of ED psychopathology than the nature of one’s interaction with emotionally charged, negative experiences. Findings also point to possible priority intervention targets in indicated prevention and treatment programs.

The impact of psychological aspects, age, and BMI on eating disorder psychopathology among adult males and females with type 1 diabetes.

This study investigated correlates of eating disorder (ED) psychopathology among adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A total of 282 males (n = 112) and females (n = 170) with T1D (18–79 years) participated. Overall, psychological aspects (i.e. illness perceptions, coping strategies, insulin beliefs, anxiety, and depression) were associated with ED psychopathology. Associations were generally stronger among females than males. In a regression model, age, BMI, personal control, and anxiety explained 51% of the variance in ED psychopathology among females, whereas BMI, personal control, and anxiety explained 47% of the variance among males. Greater clinical awareness of health psychological aspects may contribute to reduce the risk of developing ED.

Internalized weight bias and loss-of-control eating following bariatric surgery

ABSTRACT Objective: Internalized weight bias (IWB), or negative weight related self-evaluation, is associated with eating-disorder psychopathology and common among patients seeking bariatric surgery, but little is known about the clinical presentation of IWB post-operatively. This study examined IWB and clinical correlates among adult patients with loss-of-control (LOC) eating post-sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Methods: Participants (N = 145) were sleeve gastrectomy patients seeking treatment for eating/weight concerns and experiencing regular LOC eating approximately 6 months following surgery. Eating-disorder features were assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version interview (EDE-BSV) and participants completed established measures assessing IWB, depression, and mental and physical components of quality of life. Results: IWB was not associated significantly with percent excess weight loss, age, or gender, but White participants reported significantly greater IWB than Non-White participants. IWB was significantly associated with greater eating-disorder psychopathology, depression, and lower perceived mental quality of life. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that IWB significantly predicted variance in eating-disorder psychopathology above and beyond other related variables. Conclusions: Findings suggest that IWB is common and associated with a range of heightened eating-disorder and psychosocial difficulties among patients experiencing LOC eating following bariatric surgery. Future research exploring the longitudinal post-operative prognostic significance of IWB is recommended.

Examining the distinctiveness of body image concerns in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

This study examined the distinctiveness of specific constructs of body-image disturbance in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). We compared weight/shape dissatisfaction, weight/shape overvaluation, weight/shape preoccupation, and fear of weight gain in patients with AN and BN and examined how each specific body-image construct relates to clinical measures within and between AN and BN. A clinical sample of 490 treatment-seeking patients diagnosed with DSM-5 AN (N = 310) or BN (N = 180) by clinicians using structured interviews in Portugal completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire to assess body image and eating-disorder (ED) psychopathology. Both within and between AN and BN, the four body-image constructs varied in their strengths of association among themselves, with ED psychopathology, and body mass index (BMI). Analyses revealed considerable variability in variance accounted for in clinical measures by body-image constructs. Body-image constructs predicted significant, albeit small, variance in BMI within BN (dissatisfaction, preoccupation significant) but not within AN. Body-image constructs predicted significant, albeit small, variance in the frequencies of binge eating and purging in AN (with preoccupation significant for both and fear for purging) but not within BN. Body-image constructs predicted significant variance in ED psychopathology (large amounts of variance for Eating Concern and Restraint) within both AN and BN (with overvaluation, preoccupation, and fear significant). Clinical manifestations of body-image disturbances are complex and show important differences across AN and BN. Understanding distinctions and differential salience of different body-image constructs across different EDs can inform refinement of specific case conceptualization.