Trauma Type as a Predictor of Disordered Eating Behaviors in a College Sample

Presenter

Mellyssa Deoliveira

Group Members

Noor Mohamed Hassan

Campus

UMass Boston

Sponsor

Richard G. Hunter, Department of Psychology, UMass Boston

Schedule

Session 3, 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A89, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 5 (A81-A100) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Research has established trauma exposure as a known risk factor for the development of eating disorders (e.g., Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder). However, knowledge surrounding the potentially differential effects that specific trauma types may have on disordered eating (DE) behaviors remains a gap in the literature. The current study sought to compare associations between interpersonal traumatic experiences (IPT; e.g., sexual and physical assault) and non-interpersonal trauma (Non-IPT; e.g., motor vehicle accidents) with DE behaviors in a diverse college sample (N=880, M_age=22.55, SD=6.92; 77.2% female, 35.9% Black, 46.5% White). Measures used in this study include the Traumatic Life Experiences Questionnaire, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and a demographics questionnaire. Linear regressions were run to examine the effects of IPT and Non-IPT types on two domains of disordered eating behaviors, as measured by the TFEQ: cognitive restraint (CR) and uncontrolled eating (UE). IPT was positively associated with both CR (std. 𝜷=0.18, p=<.001) and UE (std. 𝜷=0.14, p=<.001). In contrast, Non-IPT was positively associated with CR (std. 𝜷=0.13, p=<.001) but not with UE (std. 𝜷=0.01, p<.05). These findings are clinically significant as they suggest that trauma type may influence the range of DE-related symptoms an individual may present with and could inform prevention and intervention strategies to help mitigate risk for the development of DE following trauma. Additionally, the results emphasize a need to develop patient-specific treatment plans to address DE behaviors in trauma-exposed populations.

Keywords

traumatic stress, interpersonal trauma, non-interpersonal trauma, disordered eating

Research Area

Psychology and Behavioral Sciences

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