Examining the factor structure of the nine-item Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Screen in a national U.S. military veteran sample.

Disordered eating is a prevalent and relevant health concern that remains understudied among U.S. military veterans.

Eating Disorders, Co-Morbid Disorders and Early Risk Factors Amongst Post-9/11 Veteran Men and Women.

Objective: To assess, by interview, the rates of eating disorders in a nationally representative sample of recent veterans, describe their DSM-5 eating disorder diagnoses and the occurrence of comorbid psychiatric disorders. To conduct an exploratory case-control analysis of previously documented and additional specific military risk factors before eating disorder onset to inform studies of prospective risk.

Method: Using a two-stage design, probable cases and controls were identified by screening questionnaires from a sample of 1494 veterans who completed a survey study and interviewed to establish case status and confirm probable co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses.

Associations between avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder profiles and trauma exposure in veteran men and women.

Objective: Trauma exposure, particularly interpersonal trauma, is prevalent among individuals with eating disorders (EDs), and trauma exposure and the subsequent development of posttraumatic stress disorder have been associated with poorer outcomes for ED treatment. To our knowledge, there are no published investigations of trauma exposure among individuals with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), a new diagnosis introduced by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5. We investigated associations between trauma exposure and ARFID profiles in a sample of U.

What Next for Eating Disorder Genetics? Replacing Myths With Facts to Sharpen Our Understanding.

Substantial progress has been made in the understanding of anorexia nervosa (AN) and eating disorder (ED) genetics through the efforts of large-scale collaborative consortia, yielding the first genome-wide significant loci, AN-associated genes, and insights into metabo-psychiatric underpinnings of the disorders. However, the translatability, generalizability, and reach of these insights are hampered by an overly narrow focus in our research. In particular, stereotypes, myths, assumptions and misconceptions have resulted in incomplete or incorrect understandings of ED presentations and trajectories, and exclusion of certain patient groups from our studies.

Identifying candidate mechanisms of comorbidity in disordered eating and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among U.S. veterans: A network analytic approach.

Objective: Comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and disordered eating (DE) symptoms is common, reflecting a possible reciprocal relationship between these disorders. Network analysis may reveal candidate mechanisms underlying their comorbidity and highlight important treatment targets.

Method: Two national samples of U.

The impact of stress and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in U.S. veterans.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life around the globe and negatively impacted mental health (MH), including among military veterans. Building on previous research with U.S.

Prevalence of Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Among US Military Veterans: Findings from Surveys with Two National Samples.

Background: Sexual violence (SV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences are major social determinants of adverse health. There is limited prevalence data on these experiences for veterans, particularly across sociodemographic groups.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of SV before, during, and after military service and lifetime and past-year IPV for women and men, and explore differences across sociodemographic groups.

Gender similarities and differences in associations between weight discrimination, shape/weight concerns, and eating disorder symptoms among post-9/11 veterans.

Objective: Weight discrimination, defined as mistreatment of people based on body weight, is associated with body image concerns and eating disorder (ED) symptoms. Military veterans are particularly vulnerable to developing ED symptoms, which may be due to experiences of weight discrimination resulting from the military's strict weight and fitness requirements. However, no previous study has examined these associations among veterans.

Associations between DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder Criterion E2 endorsement and selected self-destructive behaviors in recent-era veterans: A focus on disordered eating.

Revisions to the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) criteria in the DSM-5 included a new criterion in the alterations in arousal and reactivity cluster (i.e., engagement in reckless and self-destructive behaviors; Criterion E2).

The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI): Psychometric evaluation in veteran men and women with trauma exposure.

The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) is a self-report measure of negative posttraumatic cognitions, which is an important construct in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Evidence for the most appropriate PTCI item and factor structure is mixed, and this measure has not been extensively studied in veterans. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the PTCI in two national samples of veteran men and women.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorders in U.S. military veterans.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on mental health around the world. Although there have been reports that the incidence of eating disorders (EDs) has increased during the pandemic, few longitudinal studies have examined recent changes in EDs. Men and women with military histories may be particularly vulnerable to EDs, underscoring the importance of investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on EDs in this population.

Gender differences in direct and indirect associations of trauma types with disordered eating in a national U.S. veteran sample.

Objective: Disordered eating (DE) in military veterans has been linked to trauma exposure, but the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. The current study documented the direct associations of DE with multiple trauma types in a gender-balanced sample of veterans and examined indirect associations of trauma and DE via self-reported PTSD symptoms and concerns about shape and weight.

Method: Participants included 1,187 veterans (50% women, 46% men, 4% another) from multiple service eras.

Effects of Intimate Partner Violence During COVID-19 and Pandemic-Related Stress on the Mental and Physical Health of Women Veterans.

Background: Little is known about women veterans' intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic or the impacts of pandemic-related stress on their mental and physical health.

Objectives: To identify IPV experiences among women veterans prior to and during the pandemic, pandemic-related stressors, and examine their respective contributions to mental and physical health.

Design: National sample of women veterans drawn from a larger web-based longitudinal study.

What next for eating disorder genetics? Replacing myths with facts to sharpen our understanding.

Substantial progress has been made in the understanding of anorexia nervosa (AN) and eating disorder (ED) genetics through the efforts of large-scale collaborative consortia, yielding the first genome-wide significant loci, AN-associated genes, and insights into metabo-psychiatric underpinnings of the disorders. However, the translatability, generalizability, and reach of these insights are hampered by an overly narrow focus in our research. In particular, stereotypes, myths, assumptions and misconceptions have resulted in incomplete or incorrect understandings of ED presentations and trajectories, and exclusion of certain patient groups from our studies.

Associations between probable eating disorders and healthcare use among post-9/11 veteran men and women.

Objective: Healthcare use is elevated among individuals with eating disorders (EDs); however, most people with EDs do not receive ED-specific care, likely due to factors such as the cost and availability of treatment as well as stigma. U.S.

Disordered eating in sexual minority post-9/11 United States veterans.

Objective: It is well documented that sexual minority individuals are more likely to report disordered eating (DE) than those identifying as heterosexual. Although DE is prevalent in veterans, investigation of potential disparities in DE among sexual minority veterans is limited. This study examined rates of DE in post-9/11 United States (U.

Eating disorder measures in a sample of military veterans: A focus on gender, age, and race/ethnicity.

Early detection of eating disorders (EDs) is crucial for both prevention and treatment; however, few ED measures have been validated among older adults, men, and racially/ethnically diverse individuals, who may have varying symptom presentations. We examined the psychometric quality of three self-report ED measures within a diverse sample of U.S.

Associations between eating disorder symptoms, employment status, and occupational functioning among female veterans.

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) have been shown to negatively impact occupational functioning and may be associated with employment status. Findings have been inconsistent, and depression may mediate this relation. Further, prior research focuses mainly on binge eating disorder's (BED) impact on occupational functioning.

Emotion regulation and the association between PTSD, diet, and exercise: a longitudinal evaluation among US military veterans.

: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with premature onset of chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Diet and exercise are behavioural contributors to physical health, and research suggests they are influenced by psychiatric symptoms, including PTSD. : The aim of this study was to examine longitudinal associations between PTSD and exercise and diet quality and to test if emotion regulation strategies contribute to the link between PTSD and these health behaviours.

The impact of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder on eating disorder treatment outcomes: Investigating the unified treatment model.

Purpose: Many women with eating disorders (EDs) have comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there have been few studies on how comorbid PTSD may impact ED treatment outcomes.

Method: Participants were 2,809 patients from residential ED treatment facilities who were treated using the Unified Treatment Model (UTM).

Latent Class Analysis of Self-directed Violence and Indirect Self-harm Behaviors: Gender Differences and Associations With Mental Health Symptoms.

Objective: This study aimed to (1) examine whether the latent class structure of individuals engaging in self-directed violence and indirect self-harm behaviors (eg, substance use, disordered eating) varied by gender in a sample of US veterans, and (2) test the associations of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms with the resulting classes.

Study Design: Cross-sectional data from 3581 veterans, ages 18-50 (51.9% identified as women) were analyzed.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and eating disorders: maintaining mechanisms and treatment targets.

Many individuals with lifetime histories of eating disorders (EDs) report exposure to interpersonal trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, this relationship is not well-understood, and there are no established, evidence-based therapies for the concurrent treatment of EDs and PTSD. This review focuses on studies of the mechanisms associating trauma exposure and/or PTSD with EDs.