Examining the components and stability of negative affect in disordered eating frequency

There is a limited understanding of the unique components of negative affect that are most important to disordered eating. Our study tested the contributions and stabilities of unique components of negative affect in the frequency of both binge eating and restricted eating. We examined if: (1) symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress share unique, concurrent associations with binge eating and restricted eating, respectively, and if (2) instability of depression, anxiety, and stress predict binge eating and restricted eating, respectively.

627 first year undergraduate students completed 7 assessments of these constructs across their first academic year. Generalised multilevel modelling was employed.

Higher than average anxiety, but not depression or stress, was concurrently associated with restricted eating. No concurrent associations between negative affect and binge eating were found. Instability of depression, but not anxiety or stress, predicted both binge and restricted eating.

Anxiety may be a more salient predictor of restricted eating than depression or stress. However, larger monthly changes in depression may confer risk for more frequent binge eating and restricted eating.