NCJ Number
223719
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect; The International Journal Volume: 32 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2008 Pages: 561-566
Date Published
May 2008
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study examined the mediational significance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the development of eating disorder symptomatology following sexually traumatic experiences.
Abstract
The study found that there was a significant association between a history of trauma and eating disorder symptoms. Also, there was a significant association between a history of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Importantly, the relationship between trauma and eating disorder symptoms was significantly reduced when posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms were included in the regression analyses, indicating mediational significance of the posttraumatic stress construct. These findings were most pronounced for the physiological arousal and avoidance components of posttraumatic stress disorder. The findings support the idea that individuals who develop eating disorders after sexual trauma are likely to have experienced posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology. These findings are said to have significant implications for causal models of eating disorder onset in trauma victims, and that clinical interventions for traumatized eating disordered individuals may benefit from a focus on posttraumatic stress symptomatology. Data obtained were a result of a process involving 71 victims of sexual trauma and 25 control subjects who completed interviews and questionnaires assessing eating disorder psychopathology and posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology. Mediational analyses were conducted examining the relationships among trauma, posttraumatic stress, and eating disorder symptoms. Mediational significance was assessed by the drop in the overall correlation between trauma and eating disorder symptoms when PTSD symptoms were included in the regression model. Tables, references