Emotion regulation and eating psychopathology in women

Webster, Paula (2010). Emotion regulation and eating psychopathology in women. University of Birmingham. Clin.Psy.D.

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Abstract

The research comprises a literature review and an empirical study. The literature review evaluated the efficacy of third wave cognitive and behavioural interventions for eating disorders. The review indicated that there was some promising initial support for these approaches in the treatment of eating related difficulties. However, further research in this area, using more stringent methodology, is required in order to confirm the efficacy of these approaches for eating disorders. The empirical study aimed to examine whether women experiencing eating psychopathology report difficulties in regulating emotions and whether these difficulties contribute to eating psychopathology. Forty-eight women with eating related difficulties and a non-clinical comparison group completed questionnaire measures of eating behaviour, affect and emotion regulation difficulties. Higher levels of emotion regulation difficulties were reported by the women with eating difficulties. In the comparison group, lack of emotional awareness predicted variation in eating psychopathology. In the clinical group, impulse control difficulties predicted variation in eating psychopathology. The results revealed differences in the nature of emotion regulation difficulties that impacted on eating psychopathology between clinical and non-clinical samples. Further research investigating the relationship between emotion regulation and eating psychopathology and the possible mediating effect of anxiety within clinical populations is indicated.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.

Supervisor(s):