Carolyn M Pearson1, Emily M Pisetsky1, Andrea B Goldschmidt2, Jason M Lavender3,4, Stephen A Wonderlich3,4, Ross D Crosby3,4, Scott G Engel3,4, James E Mitchell3,4, Scott J Crow1,5, Carol B Peterson1,5. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago, Illinois. 3. Department of Clinical Research, Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, North Dakota. 4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, North Dakota. 5. The Emily Program, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) frequently endorse risky behaviors such as self-harm and substance use. However, no studies of BN to date have examined factors associated with engaging in individual or co-occurring risky behaviors. Given that individuals with BN often have personality psychopathology, which has been linked to symptoms and course of illness, this study sought to examine how personality may differentiate engagement in risky behaviors among BN individuals. METHOD: A sample of 133 women with BN completed self-report measures of personality psychopathology at baseline, and then reported on bulimic and risky behaviors (e.g., substance misuse, self-harm) over 2 weeks using ecological momentary assessment. A series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the unique associations between state-level predictor variables (each risky behavior, e.g., substance misuse, and combination of risky behaviors, e.g., substance misuse plus self-harm) and trait-level personality constructs. RESULTS: Substance misuse behavior, above and beyond all other risky behaviors, was significantly associated with higher scores on trait dissocial behavior (P = 0.004). DISCUSSION: Substance misuse in BN has a unique association with dissocial behavior, a personality trait characterized by hostility, impulsivity, and entitlement. These results suggest that targeting personality variables may help facilitate more effective treatment of risky behaviors, including substance use in BN.
OBJECTIVE: Individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) frequently endorse risky behaviors such as self-harm and substance use. However, no studies of BN to date have examined factors associated with engaging in individual or co-occurring risky behaviors. Given that individuals with BN often have personality psychopathology, which has been linked to symptoms and course of illness, this study sought to examine how personality may differentiate engagement in risky behaviors among BN individuals. METHOD: A sample of 133 women with BN completed self-report measures of personality psychopathology at baseline, and then reported on bulimic and risky behaviors (e.g., substance misuse, self-harm) over 2 weeks using ecological momentary assessment. A series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the unique associations between state-level predictor variables (each risky behavior, e.g., substance misuse, and combination of risky behaviors, e.g., substance misuse plus self-harm) and trait-level personality constructs. RESULTS:Substance misuse behavior, above and beyond all other risky behaviors, was significantly associated with higher scores on trait dissocial behavior (P = 0.004). DISCUSSION: Substance misuse in BN has a unique association with dissocial behavior, a personality trait characterized by hostility, impulsivity, and entitlement. These results suggest that targeting personality variables may help facilitate more effective treatment of risky behaviors, including substance use in BN.
Authors: Stephen A Wonderlich; Ross D Crosby; Thomas Joiner; Carol B Peterson; Anna Bardone-Cone; Marjorie Klein; Scott Crow; James E Mitchell; Daniel Le Grange; Howard Steiger; Greg Kolden; Frank Johnson; Suzanne Vrshek Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2005-05 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: Tricia Cook Myers; Stephen A Wonderlich; Ross Crosby; James E Mitchell; Kristine J Steffen; Joshua Smyth; Raymond Miltenberger Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2006-12 Impact factor: 4.861
Authors: Joshua M Smyth; Stephen A Wonderlich; Kristin E Heron; Martin J Sliwinski; Ross D Crosby; James E Mitchell; Scott G Engel Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2007-08
Authors: Jennifer J Muehlenkamp; Scott G Engel; Andrea Wadeson; Ross D Crosby; Stephen A Wonderlich; Heather Simonich; James E Mitchell Journal: Behav Res Ther Date: 2008-10-21