title: The Perception of Threat from Emotions in Predicting Binge Eating Behaviours in People Who Are Obese and Seeking Treatment for Their Weight.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The affect regulation theory suggests that people binge eat to regulate negative emotional states. In this study, we used a basic emotions perspective to consider the role of perceived threat of emotions, emotional suppression and reduced emotional expressiveness in predicting binge eating behaviours in people who are obese.
  
  
  METHODS
  Treatment-seeking participants with obesity (N = 51, body mass index range from 30.8 to 60.2 kg m-2) completed measures of 'perception of threat from emotion' as well as 'emotional expressiveness' and binge eating.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results demonstrated that perceived threat of sadness predicted binge eating (β = .55, p < .05). Additionally, a mediation analysis revealed that reduced emotional expressiveness mediated the relationship between perceived threat of fear and binge eating (β = .25, 95%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings are contextualized within a theoretical perspective that suggests that individuals who binge eat are threatened by certain emotional states and they use binge eating to suppress certain, but not all, emotional states. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering basic emotions within binge eating should be a part of a psychological assessment and treatment. This should consider how emotions could often be perceived as being threatening and their expression is limited. It is possible that the emotions of fear and sadness appear to be particularly threatening within binge eating/obese populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London And Enfield Complex Care Team Barnet, Enfield and Haringey NHS Trust. johnfoxresearch@gmail.com.
authors.forename: J R E
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of Psychology, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Msetfi
authors.affiliation: Manchester and Salford Pain Centre, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Research, Lancaster University.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Haigh
mesh_terms: D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002032:Bulimia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Binge Eating; Obesity; Perception of Threat from Emotions