Exploring Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Emotion Regulation and Eating Disorders Symptoms During Early...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Adolescent Health
• Mental Health

Background:

• Difficulties in emotion regulation (ER) are linked to eating disorders (EDs).
• The association between ER and EDs in early adolescence, and the role of sex, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if maladaptive ER strategies predict greater ED symptomatology in early adolescents.
• To assess if adaptive ER strategies predict lower ED symptoms.
• To examine the moderating effect of sex on these associations.

Main Methods:

• Ninety-eight Spanish-speaking adolescents (12-15 years) completed assessments of EDs and ER strategies (cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, rumination).
• Independent samples t-tests and hierarchical regression models were used to analyze sex differences and moderation effects.

Main Results:

• Expressive suppression and brooding rumination significantly predicted higher ED symptomatology, irrespective of sex.
• Cognitive reappraisal and reflective rumination were not associated with ED symptoms.
• No significant moderating effect of sex was observed.

Conclusions:

• Maladaptive ER strategies, specifically expressive suppression and ruminative brooding, are associated with increased ED symptom severity in early adolescence.
• Sex did not moderate the relationship between ER strategies and ED symptoms.
• Targeting maladaptive ER processes is crucial for adolescent ED prevention programs, especially during early adolescence when adaptive ER skills are developing.