Janet A Lydecker1, Rebecca R Hubbard2, Carrie B Tully2, Shawn O Utsey3, Suzanne E Mazzeo4. 1. Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 842018, Richmond, VA, United States. Electronic address: lydeckerja@vcu.edu. 2. Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 842018, Richmond, VA, United States. 3. Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 842018, Richmond, VA, United States; Department of African American Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 842018, Richmond, VA, United States. 4. Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 842018, Richmond, VA, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 842018, Richmond, VA, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: As a novel investigation of the role of White racial identity, the current study explored the link between White guilt and disordered eating. PARTICIPANTS: Young adult women (N=375), 200 of whom self-identified as White. METHODS: Measures assessed disordered eating, trait guilt, White guilt, and affect. RESULTS: White guilt is interrelated with disordered eating, particularly bulimic symptomatology. Distress tolerance and tendency to experience negative affect moderated the relation between White guilt and several disordered eating variables. CONCLUSIONS: Exploration of White guilt in clinical and research settings can inform understanding and treatment of disordered eating.
OBJECTIVE: As a novel investigation of the role of White racial identity, the current study explored the link between White guilt and disordered eating. PARTICIPANTS: Young adult women (N=375), 200 of whom self-identified as White. METHODS: Measures assessed disordered eating, trait guilt, White guilt, and affect. RESULTS: White guilt is interrelated with disordered eating, particularly bulimic symptomatology. Distress tolerance and tendency to experience negative affect moderated the relation between White guilt and several disordered eating variables. CONCLUSIONS: Exploration of White guilt in clinical and research settings can inform understanding and treatment of disordered eating.