A systematic review of maladaptive interpersonal behaviors and eating disorder psychopathology

While maladaptive interpersonal behaviors have been implicated in models of psychopathology, particularly depression, maladaptive interpersonal behaviors have received limited attention in the eating disorder (ED) literature. Further, the extant literature on maladaptive interpersonal behaviors in relation to ED psychopathology has yet to be synthesized. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to characterize the literature on maladaptive interpersonal behaviors and ED psychopathology. Inclusion criteria for the review were: availability of the study in English, empirical journal article, inclusion of human subjects, and reporting an association between at least one maladaptive interpersonal behavior and one measure of ED psychopathology. Databases searched were PsycInfo and PubMed across all dates (up to September 2020). Data was extracted from articles, and main findings were synthesized; quality scores were provided using a modified version of the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. There were 35 studies with 36 independent samples included in the review. Most studies evidenced significant bivariate associations between maladaptive interpersonal behaviors and ED psychopathology. That is, higher levels of maladaptive interpersonal behaviors were generally associated with greater disordered eating, bulimic symptoms, and body image concerns. Although limited to a minority of studies, some studies identified prospective associations and significant mediators and moderators of associations. This systematic review supports further research on maladaptive interpersonal behaviors and ED psychopathology. Given a number of significant limitations in the literature identified in this review, there are an array of avenues for future research on maladaptive interpersonal behaviors and ED psychopathology.