Stressful life events among individuals with a history of eating disorders: a case-control comparison
Abstract
Background Experiencing stressful life events (SLEs) can negatively impact mental health and increase risk for psychiatric disorders including eating disorders (EDs). Previous research has shown that childhood sexual abuse is associated with some EDs, but less is known about the association between other non-sexual SLEs and EDs. Method A case-control study of individuals with ( n = 495, age mean ± SD = 29.1 ± 9.8 years) and without ( n = 395, age = 30.2 ± 11.7) self-reported lifetime history of EDs was conducted to compare history of self-reported SLEs. Participants reported history of sexual (e.g., rape, other sexual assault) and non-sexual (e.g., emotional abuse, assault, bereavement) life events using an adaptation of the Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire. Individuals with EDs were divided into ED subtypes along the restricting – binge eating/purging spectrum to examine subtype differences. Logistic regressions were conducted for each SLE and ED subtype to obtain odds ratios (ORs). We report p -values corrected for multiple comparisons. Results Exposure to any SLE was significantly more common in individuals with EDs than in controls (OR = 2.47, p < .001). Specifically, rape, other sexual assault, and emotional abuse were significantly more common among individuals with a history of binge-eating/purging ED subtypes (ORs = 2.15–3.58, p ’s < .01) compared with controls. Furthermore, history of life-threatening disease and loss of a close relative/partner/friend…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case-control, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 495 participants or records.
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