Date of Award

Spring 8-1-2004

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Jean L. Kristeller

Second Advisor

Tom Johnson

Third Advisor

Virgil Sheets

Abstract

Individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) tend to endorse significant overconcerns with weight and shape and a greater propensity to eat in response to negative mood states. The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of body image disturbance on the self-regulation of affect in female obese non-binge (n=46) and binge eaters (n=l09). Groups were similar in age (M=46.3) and race (84% Caucasian). Obese non-binge eaters were significantly less obese (BMI=35.50) than their binge eating counterparts (BMI=38.60). On the Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), obese binge eaters endorsed significantly higher levels of body dissatisfaction, greater feelings of unhappiness with their appearance, and were more likely to perceive themselves as overweight than obese non-binge eaters. However, both subgroups were similar on the importance placed on their physical appearance and weight vigilance. Obese binge eaters were also significantly more likely to overeat in response to negative affect as measured by the Emotional Eating Scale. Caucasian BED-women were significantly more dissatisfied with their physical appearance and discontented with most areas of their bodies than African Americans. Path analysis indicated that body dissatisfaction influenced frequency of binge episodes through depression but not through self-esteem. This study provides important information for understanding binge antecedents among obese BED women presenting for treatment, and results suggest that intervention efforts should focus more on ways to deal with negative affect and body image disturbance in such individuals.

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