Impulsivity and Personality Variables in Adolescents with Eating Disorders

Overview

Journal J Nerv Ment Dis

Specialties Neurology
Psychiatry

Date 2009 Apr 14

PMID 19363381

Citations 5

Authors

Christina L Boisseau

Heather Thompson-Brenner

Kamryn T Eddy

Dana A Satir

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Impulsivity among individuals with eating disorders (EDs) is associated with severe comorbidities and poor treatment outcome. However, research investigating the construct of impulsivity in EDs is limited. The objectives of the present study were to characterize multiple dimensions of impulsivity in adolescents with EDs; determine if differences in impulsivity were associated with ED diagnosis and/or broader personality traits; and explore the relationship between impulsivity and etiologically significant variables. Experienced clinicians from a practice-research network provided data on ED symptoms, impulsive characteristics, personality pathology, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders comorbidity, and family and developmental history for 120 adolescent patients with EDs. Three distinct types of impulsivity were identified: general, acting out, and aggressive/destructive. The impulsivity types showed specific relationships to ED diagnosis, broader personality factors, individual histories of adverse (traumatic) events, and family histories of externalizing disorders, supporting the importance of taking, assessing, and addressing impulsivity in ED research and treatment.

Citing Articles

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Potential applications of Schema Therapy in the treatment of adolescents with anorexia nervosa: a theoretical analysis.

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Annual research review: The neurobehavioral development of multiple memory systems--implications for childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders.

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The severity of ADHD and eating disorder symptoms: a correlational study.

Stulz N, Hepp U, Gachter C, Martin-Soelch C, Spindler A, Milos G BMC Psychiatry. 2013; 13:44.

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