Disordered eating and alcohol use among college women: associations with race and big five traits.
Excessive alcohol use and disordered eating are considerable health-related problems among college women. The purpose of the present study was to examine how specific patterns of disordered eating (i.e., anorexia, bulimia, binge eating) are related to alcohol use and related problems and the influence of racial group membership and Big Five personality traits on the co-occurrence of these behaviors. Participants were 153 undergraduate women. Results indicated that White women reported more binge drinking, alcohol-related problems, disordered eating, anorexia nervosa symptoms, and bulimia nervosa symptoms than non-White women. Women with higher levels of openness and who engage in extreme exercise, dieting, fasting, or purging were more at risk for heavy and problematic alcohol use. Implications for the treatment of co-occurring disorders among college students and further research are discussed.
Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, Division of Counseling Psychology, ED 220, University at Albany-State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA. Electronic address: jlmartin@albany.edu.
Jessica L
JL
Martin
Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, Division of Counseling Psychology, ED 220, University at Albany-State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA. Electronic address: ggroth@albany.edu.
Gabrielle
G
Groth
Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, Division of Counseling Psychology, ED 220, University at Albany-State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA. Electronic address: llongo@albany.edu.
Laura
L
Longo
Neuro-Psychology Associates, Neuro-Psychology Associates, 155 Maple St., Ste. 203, Springfield, MA 01105, USA. Electronic address: tracey.rocha@gmail.com.
Tracey L
TL
Rocha
Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, 16 Hill Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. Electronic address: martensmp@missouri.edu.
Matthew P
MP
Martens
D000293:Adolescent; D000067292:Alcohol Drinking in College / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010551:Personality; D018570:Risk Assessment; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
Alcohol use; College students; Eating disorders; Personality; Race