Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) for borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been adapted for a primary care setting into a 13-week group treatment for emotional intensity difficulties (STEPPS EI). This is the first study to examine the effectiveness and potential outcome and dropout predictors of STEPPS EI in a primary care setting. Severity of BPD, depression, and anxiety symptoms were measured pre- and postintervention for 148 participants. Treatment completers showed improvements in depression, anxiety, and BPD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. A predictor of symptom improvement was higher baseline severity for each of the symptom measures. Attending a psychoeducational group prior to STEPPS EI was associated with lower odds of dropout. The findings support the use of STEPPS EI in a primary care setting, with the potential to alleviate the burden from other local services.

Purpose Previous research suggests that eating disorders may be associated with certain personality profiles; however, there is limited research investigating associations with night eating syndrome (NES). This research suggests harm avoidance personality trait is higher in NES individuals than in the general population, however, evidence of associations with other personality traits is inconsistent. To understand which personality traits are associated with NES symptoms, the current study aimed to improve understanding of the relationship between NES symptoms and a range of personality traits, addressing limitations in the earlier literature in this area by controlling for common confounders. Methods Baseline data were analysed from an outpatient psychotherapy trial for 111 women with bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder. Pre-treatment measures of personality traits (measured with the Temperament and character inventory—revised) and NES symptoms (measured with the Night eating questionnaire) were used. Regression analyses tested associations between these variables, adjusting for potential confounders, including age and ethnicity. Results Low cooperativeness scores were associated with greater NES symptoms in the multivariable model (mean difference: − 0.10, 95% confidence intervals: − 0.20 to − 0.01, p = 0.033). There was weak evidence of associations between both high harm avoidance and low self-directedness personality traits and greater NES symptoms. Conclusions This study adds to the limited research measuring associations between a range of personality traits and NES, addressing limitations of previous research. Weak evidence for an association between high harm avoidance and low self-directedness and increased NES symptoms was found. A novel association was found between low cooperativeness and greater NES symptoms. Further research is needed to validate its presence in those with and without comorbid eating disorders and to examine the relative change in NES, eating disorder symptoms and personality scores in treatments focusing on cooperativeness. Level of evidence Level IV (cross-sectional data from a randomised controlled trial, CTB/04/08/139).

Purpose Evidence suggests that the harm avoidance personality type is more common among individuals with night eating syndrome (NES) than in the general population. Evidence of associations with other personality traits is limited. The current study investigated the association between a range of personality traits and NES.Methods Cross-sectional data were used from women with bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder referred for treatment in an outpatient psychotherapy trial. Regression analyses were used to test associations between personality traits (measured with the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised) and NES symptoms (measured with the Night Eating Questionnaire), adjusting for potential confounding variables.Results The sample included 111 women. Low cooperativeness scores were associated with greater NES symptoms in the multivariable model (mean difference: -.10, 95% confidence intervals: -.20 to -.01, p = 0.033). There was weak evidence of associations between both high harm avoidance and low self-directedness personality traits and greater NES symptoms.Conclusions The finding that low cooperativeness was associated with greater NES symptoms is novel. Further research is needed to validate its presence in those with and without comorbid eating disorders and to examine the relative change in NES, eating disorder symptoms and personality scores in treatments focusing on cooperativeness.Level of evidence Level I (randomised controlled trial, CTB/04/08/139)