NCJ Number
218857
Journal
Journal of Emotional Abuse Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: 2007 Pages: 17-36
Date Published
2007
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study investigated whether childhood emotional abuse (CEA) acts as both a predictor of eating disorders as well as a moderator of the effects of childhood neglect (CN), physical abuse (CPA), and sexual abuse (CSA).
Abstract
Results indicated that the effect of CN on eating disorders was mediated by anxiety and self-esteem, while both CPA and CEA exhibited significant and direct effects on eating disorders. CSA was unrelated to eating disorders when the three other abuse variables--CEA, CN, and CPA--were included in the analysis. These findings are similar to previous research that has found a direct and significant association between CEA and eating disorders. The findings suggest that current conceptualizations of the impact of childhood maltreatment on eating disorders may need to be modified to place greater emphasis on the role of nonphysical forms of childhood maltreatment, such as CEA and CN. Future research should strive to use more verifiable information to replicate the findings discovered in this study. Participants were 1,283 undergraduate students recruited from psychology courses at 2 large universities in British Columbia. Participants completed a series of questionnaires that assessed eating disorders, child abuse and trauma, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. Data were analyzed using multiple regression models. Limitations of the study are discussed and include its reliance on self-report measures. Figures, tables, references