The relationship between disordered eating behaviour and the five factor model personality dimensions: A systematic...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Eating Disorder Research

Background:

• The link between personality traits and eating disorders is a key area of psychological research.
• Understanding subclinical disordered eating in relation to normal personality ranges is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize existing research on the Five Factor Model (FFM) and disordered eating behaviors.
• To clarify the relationship between normal-range personality dimensions and subclinical eating disorders.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative synthesis was performed on 45 studies.
• Studies were identified through electronic databases and included self-report measures of disordered eating and the FFM.

Main Results:

• Higher Neuroticism scores were consistently associated with increased disordered eating behaviors.
• Specific disordered eating behaviors demonstrated unique correlations with different FFM personality dimensions.
• Facets within Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness domains showed varied correlations with disordered eating.

Conclusions:

• The Five Factor Model (FFM) provides a framework for understanding personality's role in disordered eating.
• Distinct personality facets have unique associations with specific disordered eating patterns.
• Further research is necessary to generalize findings across diverse populations (females, males, gender diverse) and inform treatment approaches.