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Sexual abuse as a factor in eating disorders
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Manchester.
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Research suggests a link between sexual abuse and eating disorders, finding bulimic patients more likely to report abuse history than anorexic patients. The study indicates abuse may influence eating disorder type, not solely cause it.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Clinicians report a link between sexual abuse and eating disorders.
- Previous research evidence supporting this link has been equivocal.
- Understanding the relationship is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between a history of sexual abuse and eating disorders.
- To compare the prevalence of reported sexual abuse in patients with anorexia nervosa versus bulimia nervosa.
- To examine the influence of assessment methodology on reported rates of sexual abuse.
Main Methods:
- Data on reported sexual abuse were collected from 67 patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
- The study compared reported rates of sexual abuse between anorexic and bulimic patient groups.
- The impact of data collection method (clinical interview vs. questionnaire) on reported abuse rates was assessed.
Main Results:
- Patients with bulimia nervosa were significantly more likely to report a history of unwanted sexual experiences compared to patients with anorexia nervosa.
- The method of data collection (clinical interview versus questionnaire) did not significantly alter the reported rates of sexual abuse.
- A history of sexual abuse was more prevalent in patients with eating disorders than in the general population (implied).
Conclusions:
- Sexual abuse may not be a direct cause of eating disorders but could influence their specific manifestation.
- The findings suggest that a history of sexual abuse is more strongly associated with bulimia nervosa than anorexia nervosa.
- Clinical interviews and questionnaires yield comparable rates of reported sexual abuse in this patient population.
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