title: The relation between eating disorder symptoms and impairment.
abstract: Although a number of studies have looked at what factors might mediate the relationship between symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in a number of psychiatric disorders, little research has addressed this issue in eating disorders. In the current study, female undergraduates (N = 339) completed questionnaires assessing eating disorder symptoms, social support, coping, QoL, and psychosocial impairment. Perceived family support and levels of substance misuse as a way of coping were identified as mediators of the symptom-impairment relationship and, in addition, maladaptive coping also mediated the relationship with QoL. These results highlight the role of coping and social support in impairment resulting from eating disorder symptoms.
authors.affiliation: *School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton; †School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; ‡University of Michigan Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, MI; §Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL; ∥Institute of Digital Healthcare, Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick; and ¶Human Metabolism Research Unit, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK.
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Renee D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Rienecke
authors.forename: Colleen S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Conley
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Jacqueline M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Blissett
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D005195:Family Relations; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult