Binge antecedents in bulimic syndromes: an examination of dissociation and negative affect.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a naturalistic study to examine negative affect and dissociative experiences as antecedents to binge episodes.


METHODS
Using handheld computers, 33 women with bulimic syndromes provided ongoing self-reports on eating behaviors, affects, and dissociative experiences over 7- to 29-day intervals.


RESULTS
Multilevel modeling analyses indicated that negative affect and dissociation were elevated prior to binge episodes. In addition, antecedent effects of dissociation on bingeing were independent of those attributable to negative affect.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results are consistent with models of binge eating that assign a causal role to negative mood and altered self-awareness. As such, our findings imply that binge eating is a multiply determined behavior linked to diverse cognitive and affective processes.
Engelberg
Marla J
MJ
Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. mengelbe@nygh.on.ca
Steiger
Howard
H
Gauvin
Lise
L
Wonderlich
Stephen A
SA
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004581:Electronics / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires