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Published on: March 17, 2019
Impulsivity and compulsivity in bulimia nervosa
Scott G Engel1, Stephanie J Corneliussen, Stephen A Wonderlich
1Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, North Dakota 58107, USA. sengel@nrifargo.com
Objective:
A primary objective of the current article is to investigate the relationship between impulsivity and compulsivity in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN). A second goal is to explore the relationship between impulsivity and compulsivity and related psychiatric problems.
Method:
Two-hundred four females with BN completed several measures of impulsivity and compulsivity as well as measures of personality, substance use, eating pathology, and depression.
Results:
Participants reported considerable variability on measures of impulsivity and compulsivity and these scores were positively correlated with each other. Impulsive-compulsive groups differed in personality, substance use, eating, and depression.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that impulsivity and compulsivity can coexist in BN patients and that both traits may provide useful information about comorbid problems in women with BN.
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