title: Dimensions of emotion dysregulation in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: A conceptual review of the empirical literature.
abstract: Several existing conceptual models and psychological interventions address or emphasize the role of emotion dysregulation in eating disorders. The current article uses Gratz and Roemer's (2004) multidimensional model of emotion regulation and dysregulation as a clinically relevant framework to review the extant literature on emotion dysregulation in anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Specifically, the dimensions reviewed include: (1) the flexible use of adaptive and situationally appropriate strategies to modulate the duration and/or intensity of emotional responses, (2) the ability to successfully inhibit impulsive behavior and maintain goal-directed behavior in the context of emotional distress, (3) awareness, clarity, and acceptance of emotional states, and (4) the willingness to experience emotional distress in the pursuit of meaningful activities. The current review suggests that both AN and BN are characterized by broad emotion regulation deficits, with difficulties in emotion regulation across the four dimensions found to characterize both AN and BN, although a small number of more specific difficulties may distinguish the two disorders. The review concludes with a discussion of the clinical implications of the findings, as well as a summary of limitations of the existing empirical literature and suggestions for future research.
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, ND, USA; University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, ND, USA. Electronic address: jlavender@nrifargo.com.
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lavender
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, ND, USA; University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, ND, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wonderlich
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, ND, USA; University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, ND, USA.
authors.forename: Scott G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.affiliation: North Dakota State University, Department of Psychology, Fargo, ND, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Walter H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, ND, USA; University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, ND, USA.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D000068356:Self-Control / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Affect; Affect dysregulation; Affect regulation; Eating disorders; Emotion regulation