Tara De Paoli1, Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz2,3, Emma Halliwell4, Francis Puccio1, Isabel Krug1. 1. Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2. School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia. 3. Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia. 4. Centre for Appearance Research, The University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.
Abstract
AIM: The current study assessed a new interpersonal model for eating disorders (EDs), in which interpersonal rejection sensitivity (RS), appearance-based RS and social rank were hypothesised to mediate the relationship between insecure attachment and disordered eating. METHOD: The sample comprised a clinical ED group (N = 122) and a control group (N = 622). Participants were asked to complete a number of self-report measures related to the variables of interest. RESULTS: Invariance testing indicated that the model was structurally non-invariant (different across groups). For the ED group, appearance-based RS and social rank were significant mediators of the relationship between insecure attachment and disordered eating. For the controls, the relationship between insecure attachment and disordered eating was mediated through multiple pathways involving interpersonal RS, appearance-based RS and social rank. CONCLUSION: These findings may inform existing therapies such as interpersonal psychotherapy for EDs, by emphasising the role of sensitivity to rejection in the development and maintenance of disordered eating.
AIM: The current study assessed a new interpersonal model for eating disorders (EDs), in which interpersonal rejection sensitivity (RS), appearance-based RS and social rank were hypothesised to mediate the relationship between insecure attachment and disordered eating. METHOD: The sample comprised a clinical ED group (N = 122) and a control group (N = 622). Participants were asked to complete a number of self-report measures related to the variables of interest. RESULTS: Invariance testing indicated that the model was structurally non-invariant (different across groups). For the ED group, appearance-based RS and social rank were significant mediators of the relationship between insecure attachment and disordered eating. For the controls, the relationship between insecure attachment and disordered eating was mediated through multiple pathways involving interpersonal RS, appearance-based RS and social rank. CONCLUSION: These findings may inform existing therapies such as interpersonal psychotherapy for EDs, by emphasising the role of sensitivity to rejection in the development and maintenance of disordered eating.