Personality profiles in young adults with disordered eating behavior

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Personality traits are recognized as significant factors in the development and persistence of eating disorders (ED).
• Limited research exists on the connection between personality traits and disordered eating behaviors (DEB) in non-clinical populations, such as college students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between specific personality disorder (PD) traits and disordered eating behaviors (DEB) in a college student population.
• To identify distinct personality profiles within a subclinical sample exhibiting DEB.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving college students who completed questionnaires on DEB and PD traits (schizotypal, autistic, obsessional, borderline, cyclothymic).
• Statistical analyses, including cluster analysis, were used to differentiate groups based on personality traits and DEB severity.
• Comparison of psychological symptoms (depression, suicidal ideation, anger, obsessive-compulsive symptoms) across identified clusters.

Main Results:

• Participants with DEB exhibited significantly higher scores for schizotypal, cyclothymic, borderline, and obsessional traits compared to controls.
• Cluster analysis of the DEB group revealed three distinct profiles: high trait level (HT), schizotypal-borderline-cyclothymic (SBC), and low trait level (LT).
• The HT and SBC clusters reported higher levels of depression, suicidal ideation, trait anger, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms than the LT cluster.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion (two-thirds) of college students with DEB presented with a 'morbid' personality profile, characterized by elevated PD traits.
• The findings underscore the importance of assessing personality disorder traits in individuals with disordered eating behaviors, even in subclinical populations.
• Early identification and intervention targeting personality traits may be crucial for managing and preventing the progression of disordered eating.