Emotion dysregulation, self-image and eating disorder symptoms in University Women

Abstract

BackgroundWe studied associations between emotion dysregulation, self-image and eating disorder (ED) symptoms in university women, and contrasted two indirect effect models to examine possible intervening mechanisms to produce ED symptoms.Methods252 female Swedish university students completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) self-image measure, and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Correlations between scales were followed by five simple mediation analysis pairs with two possible pathways using five ED symptom variables as outcome. The models posited either self-image or emotion dysregulation as mediator or independent variable, respectively. ED symptoms were EDE-Q Global score, objective binge eating episodes (OBE), subjective binge eating episodes (SBE), and two variants of EDE-Q excessive exercise.ResultsEmotion dysregulation and self-image were strongly correlated, and both correlated moderately with EDE-Q Global score. There were distinct indirect effects through self-image on the relationship between emotion dysregulation and ED symptoms, but not vice versa. These indirect effects were evident in relation to cognitive ED symptoms and both OBE and SBE, but not in relation to excessive exercise.ConclusionsResults suggest that even if closely related, emotion dysregulation and self-image both contribute unique knowledge in relation to ED symptoms. Self-image as an intervening mechanism between emotion dysregulation and ED symptoms is relevant for models of the development, maintenance and treatment of ED, as well as treatment focus.

Diagnosis‐specific self‐image predicts longitudinal suicidal ideation in adult eating disorders

“…For example, in a review of emotion regulation in AN and BN, Lavender and colleagues (Lavender et al, 2015) found many commonalities but a few specific emotion deficits in AN vs.BN (e.g., decreased emotion recognition/acceptance and heightened reward sensitivity, respectively), and research into OSFED presentations more similar to AN vs. BN may be guided by such findings. SASB self-image may be useful here also, as it has been shown to mediate the effect of emotion dysregulation on ED symptoms (Monell, H€ ogdahl, Fors en Mantilla, & Birgegård et al, 2015).…”

Emotion dysregulation and eating disorders—Associations with diagnostic presentation and key symptoms

“…Recruitment is described in detail elsewhere (Monell et al, 2015). Participants were rewarded with either a gift certificate or course credit depending on department affiliation.…”

“…Forsén Mantilla, & Birgegård, 2015;Svaldi, Griepenstroh, Tuschen-Caffier, & Ehring, 2012), symptom maintenance in anorexia nervosa (AN; Racine & Wildes, 2015), and outcome in bulimia nervosa (BN; MacDonald, Trottier, & Olmsted, 2017;Peterson et al, 2017). Generally, patients with EDs report more emotion dysregulation than controls (Brockmeyer et al, 2014;Mallorqui-Bague et al, 2018).…”

Emotional Dysregulation and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: A Meta-Analytic Review

“…Additionally, the mean effect size of the relationship between lack of emotional clarity and NSSI was also larger in adolescents than in adults. Apart from possessing more NSSI specific risk factors, adolescents also attach more importance to the clarity of emotions, because it is important for their development of self-identity [48,49]. When they cannot figure out what they are feeling or sense that their feelings are invalid or unimportant, adolescents may be more likely than adults to get frustrated and engage in NSSI.…”