title: Number of different purging behaviors used among women with eating disorders: psychological, behavioral, self-efficacy and quality of life outcomes.
abstract: The objective of this study was to examine differences between a number of different purging behaviors used and outcome measures among eating disorder patients. Among 211 females who received inpatient or partial hospitalization eating disorder treatment, analyses of covariance and cross-tabulations identified associations among a number of different purging behaviors (vomiting, laxative use, diuretic use) used and psychological, behavioral, self-efficacy and quality of life measures at follow-up. Most patients (80.1%) reported purging for weight control. Use of different purging behaviors was significantly associated at follow-up with lower self-esteem, greater depression, higher state and trait anxiety, higher BMI, poorer self-efficacy for normative eating and body image, compromised quality of life, greater dietary restraint, and eating, shape and weight concerns. Furthermore, a higher percentage of those who used purging behaviors met criteria for a subthreshold or threshold eating disorder at follow-up compared to their non-purging peers. Eating disorder patients who use different purging behaviors are more compromised at follow-up than patients who do not purge. Due to the severe medical complications associated with different purging behaviors, future research should address best practices for clinical intervention and prevention.
authors.affiliation: Park Nicollet Melrose Institute, St Louis Park, Minnesota, USA. diann@diannackard.com
authors.forename: Diann M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ackard
authors.forename: Catherine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cronemeyer
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Franzen
authors.forename: Sara A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Norstrom
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014839:Vomiting / Q000523:psychology*; D014930:Women
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives