An investigation of positive and negative affect before, during, and after binge eating episodes in bulimia nervosa

Ashley Anne Witt

doi:10.17918/etd-6400

Background: The affect regulation theory of binge eating suggests that binge eating is triggered by negative affect and functions to reduce negative affect. While binge eating frequently follows negative affect, available evidence suggests that negative affect increases immediately following a binge episode. However, it remains unclear whether short-term decreases in negative affect occur during the binge episode itself. In addition, the role of positive affect in binge eating is not well understood. Objectives: (1) To examine trajectories of positive and negative affect before and after binge eating episodes among women with bulimia nervosa (BN); and (2) to compare positive and negative affect during binge episodes to affect before binge episodes. Exploratory aims were (3) to compare trajectories of positive and negative affect before and after binge eating episodes that are anticipated vs. unanticipated; and (4) to compare trajectories of positive and negative affect before and after objective vs. subjective binge eating episodes. Method: Thirty-five women with BN were asked to answer questions about binge eating and affect several times daily over a 14-day period using an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) procedure. Affect during binge episodes was assessed retrospectively during the EMA rating following each binge episode. Results: Positive affect decreased in the hours before binge episodes and increased in the hours following binge episodes, while negative affect increased in the hours before binge episodes and decreased in the hours following binge episodes. Negative affect was rated as higher and positive affect was rated as lower during binge episodes relative to before binge episodes. Trajectories of positive and negative affect did not differ based on anticipation of the binge episode or based on the size of the binge episode (objective vs. subjective). Discussion: The present findings replicate prior research on trajectories of positive and negative affect before and after binge episodes, and suggest that these trajectories are consistent regardless of whether the binge was anticipated in advance and regardless of the size of the binge episode. Comparisons of positive and negative affect before vs. during binge episodes did not support the affect regulation hypothesis of binge eating, as affect was found to worsen during binge episodes. Results may be more consistent with theories suggesting reduced inhibitory control over eating during negative emotional states, but do not suggest that binge eating produces improvements in positive and negative affect in comparison to pre-binge affective states. Further research is needed to better understand factors that maintain binge eating.

An investigation of positive and negative affect before, during, and after binge eating episodes in bulimia nervosa

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An investigation of positive and negative affect before, during, and after binge eating episodes in bulimia nervosa

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