Deficits in Emotion Regulation Mediate the Relationship Between Childhood Abuse and Later Eating Disorder Symptoms

• NCJ Number: 238099
• Journal: Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 36 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2012 Pages: 32-39
• Author(s): Erin E. Burns; Sarah Fischer; Joan L. Jackson; Hilary G. Harding
• Date Published: January 2012
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated the relationship between childhood abuse and the later development of eating disorders.

Abstract

The study found that in a sample of female college students, those students with a history of childhood emotional abuse were more likely to exhibit eating disorder (ED) behaviors, and that those with deficits in emotion regulation skills were more likely to exhibit ED symptoms. The findings also show that of the three types of childhood abuse: physical, sexual, and emotional, emotional abuse was the only one consistently related to ED symptoms. This study investigated the relationship between childhood abuse and the later development of eating disorders. Data for the study were obtained from a sample of 1,254 female college students who completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire. Examination of survey results indicate that all three types of childhood abuse can lead to eating disorder symptoms with childhood emotional abuse showing the strongest association. These findings reveal a unique relationship between emotional abuse and the development of ED symptoms and that an assessment for childhood emotional abuse should be an important part of treatment for ED symptoms. Figures, table, and references