The relationship between dissociation and binge eating.
Despite research findings demonstrating a relationship between dissociation and binge eating, the psychological processes that may underlie this association remain unclear. The present study examined 2 potential explanations: (a) that dissociation disinhibits behavioral control over eating and (b) that dissociation interferes with self-awareness and undermines body image. A total of 151 female university students completed measures of dissociation, body dissatisfaction, impulsivity, internalization of the thin ideal, body comparison, and binge eating. Correlations confirmed the presence of a relationship between dissociation and binge eating, and regression analyses revealed that this relationship is limited to body-specific (somatic) symptoms of dissociation. Path analyses identified body dissatisfaction, comparison, and impulsivity as significant mediators of this relationship. However, inclusion of all 3 mediated paths in a full model revealed that only body dissatisfaction is a unique mediator. The relevance of somatic symptoms, and the unique contribution of body dissatisfaction as a mediator, are consistent with an explanation of the relationship between dissociation and binge eating that is based on a vulnerability of body image. The results emphasize the need for future research to consider the relation of dissociation to a broader range of disordered eating symptoms than simply binge eating.
Fuller-Tyszkiewicz
Matthew
M
School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, 3125, Australia. mdfu@deakin.edu.au
Mussap
Alexander J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult