Multi-impulsivity among women with bulimia nervosa

The results of past research suggest the possible existence of a distinct subgroup of bulimic individuals who display multiple behaviors indicative of impulsivity (e.g., stealing, self-injury, attempted suicide, drug abuse). We further investigated potential relationships between multi-impulsivity and other clinical variables.

We compared women with bulimia nervosa (purging type) who displayed "multi-impulsivity" (n = 40) to those who did not (n = 177) with regard to symptom history and presentation, eating-disordered attitudes, and sexual experience.

The two groups did not differ in mean age, body mass index, scores on scales of eating-disordered attitudes and traits, incidence of self-induced vomiting, sexual intercourse, or masturbation, and current frequency of binge eating and self-induced vomiting. However, relative to the comparison group, women in the multi-impulsive group reported earlier onset of binge eating and sexual intercourse, a greater incidence of laxative abuse, and use of a greater number of different substances. There were statistical trends (p < .10) toward the multi-impulsive group displaying earlier onset of self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, and masturbation.

Results are discussed in relation to the results of past research and the implications for treatment of bulimic women.