title: Relationship between spiritual well-being and binge eating in college females.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of spiritual well-being in college female non-binge, objective binge and binge-trait eaters. Therefore, this study aimed to measure spiritual well-being in non-binge, objective binge and partial/full-syndrome binge eating disorder college females. Survey research was conducted using a randomized sample of 809 female students. The sample was categorized into three binge eating categories: nonbinge, objective binge, and binge eating trait. Chi-Squares and Analysis of Variance determined binge eating group differences on demographics, global spiritual well-being, religious well-being, and existential well-being. Significant differences were found among groups for global spiritual well-being (p< or = 0.000), religious well-being (p< or = 0.000), and existential well-being (p< or = 0.000). Higher levels of binge eating severity were associated with lower global spiritual and existential well-being scores. On measures of religious well-being, significant differences existed between the non-binge and the binge eating trait groups. The results suggest that spiritual well-being and especially existential well-being may be indirectly associated with the severity of binge eating.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224-2673, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Christie
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chally
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005086:Existentialism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012067:Religion; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires