Dissociation and eating psychopathology: gender differences in a nonclinical population.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated gender differences in the relationship between dissociation and eating psychopathology in a non-eating-disordered population.


METHODS
Two hundred forty-nine male and female students completed the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI).


RESULTS
In both men and women, dissociative experiences were linked more with underlying ego dysfunction than with eating behaviors per se. Specific gender differences were found. Women's EDI scores were most strongly associated with experiences of depersonalization and derealization, although absorption may play an indirect role via poor impulse regulation. In contrast, men's EDI scores were most strongly associated with experiences of amnesia and imaginative absorption.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that it is not adequate to consider dissociation as a unitary construct when examining its link to eating problems. While the findings require replication with a clinical group, the gender differences in the DES-EDI link highlight a potential need to address different defensive styles when working with male and female clients.
Meyer
C
C
Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, United Kingdom.
Waller
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003861:Depersonalization / Q000523:psychology*; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D005201:Fantasy; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors