Journal article
An examination of emotion regulation as a mechanism underlying eating disorder pathology in lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals
Eating behaviors : an international journal, v 41, pp 101508-101508
01 Apr 2021
PMID: 33901798
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Objective: Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) individuals generally experience eating disorders at higher rates than heterosexual individuals. While there is limited research examining why LGB individuals experience higher levels of eating pathology, emotion regulation (ER) deficits have been associated with higher rates of other forms of psychopathology in this population. The present study examined the impact of specific ER deficits on the relationship between LGB status and eating pathology. We hypothesized that 1) LGB individuals would report higher levels of ER deficits, and 2) ER deficits would mediate the relationship between LGB status and eating pathology.
Method: Participants were 195 LGB and 193 heterosexual adults recruited via mTurk who completed self-report measures of eating pathology and ER deficits. Results: One-way ANCOVA analyses revealed that LGB individuals reported higher levels of ER deficits compared to heterosexuals for all DERS subscales except for DERS-Awareness. Nearly all DERS subscales (DERS-Nonacceptance, DERS-Goals, DERS-Strategies, DERS-Impulse) significantly mediated the relationship between LGB status and eating pathology.
Discussion: Consistent with our hypotheses, LGB individuals reported higher levels of ER deficits compared to heterosexuals and specific ER deficits partially accounted for the relationship between LGB status and eating pathology. Future research should utilize longitudinal designs to examine whether the ER deficits identified in the present study prospectively predict eating pathology. Considering the immense mental health burden placed on the LGB community, it is essential that research continue to identify the unique needs of LGB individuals to more effectively treat and prevent psychopathology, including eating disorders, in this population.
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Details
- Title
- An examination of emotion regulation as a mechanism underlying eating disorder pathology in lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals
- Creators
- Lindsay M. Gillikin - Drexel UniversityStephanie M. Manasse - Drexel UniversityIlana Seager van Dyk - The Ohio State University
- Publication Details
- Eating behaviors : an international journal, v 41, pp 101508-101508
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 6
- Grant note
- College of Arts and Sciences Psychology Department at The Ohio State University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Center for Weight, Eating and Lifestyle Science (WELL) [Historical]
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000652735400025
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85104587701
- Other Identifier
- 991019167340604721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology, Clinical