Childhood Trauma, Cognition, and Eating Psychopathology: A Network Analysis

Background/Objectives: Childhood trauma is associated with psychiatric sequelae beyond post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including eating disorders (EDs) and cognitive dysfunction. While eating pathology is related to cognition irrespective of childhood trauma exposure, such experiences may influence the way in which these symptoms develop. One method that has garnered increased interest in studying the interrelationships between symptoms and pinpointing core features of psychopathology is network analysis. Methods: Using data from the Nathan Kline Institute Rockland Sample, the present study utilized network analysis to examine associations between ED symptoms and cognitive deficits among a community sample. Comorbidity networks were constructed in two samples: adult reporters of childhood trauma (n = 116) and non-reporters (n = 101). Results: In line with the cognitive-behavioral model of EDs, overvaluation of weight/shape was central to both networks but demonstrated higher strength centrality among trauma reporters. Additionally, among trauma reporters, executive functioning deficits were linked to food-related attentional biases; alternatively, affective symptoms were salient among non-reporters. Finally, negative self-concept (theorized as a putative consequence of cognitive deficits) was implicated in both networks. When comparing the networks according to global strength, we did not find significant differences. Conclusions: Our findings contribute to the literature examining the interrelatedness of eating pathology and cognition and extend these findings by considering the role of trauma exposure. While our networks shared features of overvaluation of weight/shape and negative self-concept, they differed according to cognitive-affective concomitants. This information holds clinical utility in advancing assessment and intervention for individuals with eating psychopathology.