Cerniglia Luca1, Cimino Silvia2, Ballarotto Giulia2, Tambelli Renata2. 1. Uninettuno International Telematic University, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 39, Rome, Italy. l.cerniglia@uninettunouniversity.net. 2. Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Few studies have addressed the psychological characteristics of adolescents with binge eating disorder (BED). No research has focused on the psychological functioning of these adolescents' parents or on the prevalence of traumatic experiences among them. METHODS: In this study, 202 adolescents aged 11-13 and their parents were recruited from mental health clinics to complete the youth self-report (YSR), the response evaluation measure for youth (REM-71), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Symptom Check-List (SCL-90-R), and the traumatic experience checklist (TEC). RESULTS: Female adolescents scored higher than males on withdrawal, internalizing problems, dissociation, and somatization subscales. Boys scored higher than girls on externalizing problems and acting out subscales. Maternal depression predicted withdrawal and dissociation in female adolescents. Maternal sexual abuse predicted social problems in males and self-destructive behaviors in females. Paternal physical abuse predicted delinquent behavior and acting out in males. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that parental traumatic experiences play a role in their offspring's mental health; the data also showed different psychopathological configurations in male and female adolescents with BED and their parents, suggesting the development of prevention and treatment polices specific to gender.
PURPOSE: Few studies have addressed the psychological characteristics of adolescents with binge eating disorder (BED). No research has focused on the psychological functioning of these adolescents' parents or on the prevalence of traumatic experiences among them. METHODS: In this study, 202 adolescents aged 11-13 and their parents were recruited from mental health clinics to complete the youth self-report (YSR), the response evaluation measure for youth (REM-71), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Symptom Check-List (SCL-90-R), and the traumatic experience checklist (TEC). RESULTS: Female adolescents scored higher than males on withdrawal, internalizing problems, dissociation, and somatization subscales. Boys scored higher than girls on externalizing problems and acting out subscales. Maternal depression predicted withdrawal and dissociation in female adolescents. Maternal sexual abuse predicted social problems in males and self-destructive behaviors in females. Paternal physical abuse predicted delinquent behavior and acting out in males. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that parental traumatic experiences play a role in their offspring's mental health; the data also showed different psychopathological configurations in male and female adolescents with BED and their parents, suggesting the development of prevention and treatment polices specific to gender.
Authors: Barbara Pavlova; Rudolf Uher; Eva Dragomirecka; Hana Papezova Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2009-07-19 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Marian Tanofsky-Kraff; Susan Z Yanovski; Denise E Wilfley; Cheri Marmarosh; Christina M Morgan; Jack A Yanovski Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2004-02