title: Punishment and reward sensitivity: are naturally occurring clusters in these traits related to eating and weight problems in adolescents?
abstract: Little is known about the role of sensitivity to punishment (SP) and reward (SR) in eating problems during adolescence. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the naturally occurring clusters of high and low SP and SR among nonclinical adolescents and the between-cluster differences in various eating problems and weight. A total of 579 adolescents (14-19 years, 39.8% boys) completed the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ), the Behavioural Inhibition System and Behavioural Activation System scales (BIS/BAS scales), the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and the Child Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and were weighed and measured. On the basis of the SPSRQ, four clusters were established, interpreted as lowSP × lowSR, lowSP × highSR, highSP × highSR and highSP × lowSR. These were associated with eating problems but not with adjusted body mass index. It seemed that specifically the highSP × highSR cluster outscored the other clusters on eating problems. These results were partly replicated with the BIS/BAS scales, although less significant relations between the clusters and eating problems were found. The implications of the findings in terms of possible risk and protective clusters are discussed.
authors: Department of Developmental, University of Ghent, Gent, Belgium. annelies.matton@ugent.be
authors: Annelies
authors: A
authors: Matton
authors: Lien
authors: L
authors: Goossens
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Braet
authors: Myriam
authors: M
authors: Vervaet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D010551:Personality; D011678:Punishment / Q000523:psychology*; D012201:Reward; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult