Disordered eating is related to deficits in emotional processing: A correlational study with a subclinical sample.

Background: Both clinical and non-clinical levels of disordered eating behaviours have been associated with deficits in emotional processing.

Methods: Through a correlational design, the present study examined the relationship between different types of disordered eating behaviours and various forms of emotional processing. N = 209 female undergraduate participants completed self-report measures of disordered eating behaviours, perceived emotion intensity, emotion regulation skills, and self-compassion. Four groups of participants were identified based on self-reported disordered eating behaviours: a healthy control group (n = 90), dieting group (n = 22), binging group (n = 59), and binging/purging group (n = 38).

Results: Greater severity of disordered eating was associated with greater emotional processing deficits including greater perceived emotion intensity, greater emotion regulation difficulties, and diminished self-compassion. Emotion regulation skills mediated the relationship between emotion intensity and disordered eating behaviours. A continuum of emotional processing deficits was observed wherein the healthy control group exhibited the fewest emotional processing deficits, and these deficits became increasingly severe among the dieting group, binging group, and binging/purging group, respectively. Each disordered eating type was associated with a specific profile of emotional processing difficulties.

Limitations: This study examined a subclinical sample of only female participants.

Conclusions: Findings bear clinical importance for the prevention, treatment, and understanding of disordered eating behaviours.