Perceived control in eating disorders: relationship with reported sexual abuse

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Eating disorders are often associated with control issues.
• Life experiences can significantly impact an individual's sense of perceived control.
• Sexual abuse is a traumatic experience that may reduce perceived control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the role of reported sexual abuse in reducing perceived personal control among women with eating disorders.
• To investigate the association between sexual abuse history, perceived control, and eating disorder psychopathology.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 55 women diagnosed with eating disorders participated.
• Participants completed the Eating Attitudes Test and the Locus of Control scale.
• A history of sexual abuse was assessed through interviews.

Main Results:

• A history of sexual abuse was correlated with a more external locus of control (reduced perceived personal control).
• Among women with a history of sexual abuse, a more external locus of control was linked to more severe eating psychopathology.
• The severity of abuse was associated with the severity of eating psychopathology in abused women.
• No significant association between locus of control and eating psychopathology was found in women without a history of sexual abuse.

Conclusions:

• Clinical interventions for eating-disordered women with a history of sexual abuse should consider addressing cognitions related to personal control.
• Focusing on enhancing a sense of personal control may be beneficial in treating eating disorders in survivors of sexual abuse.