Eva Van Malderen1, Lien Goossens2, Sandra Verbeken2, Eva Kemps3. 1. Ghent University, Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: eva.vanmalderen@ugent.be. 2. Ghent University, Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. 3. School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Loss of control over eating is common among adolescents and is associated with negative developmental outcomes. Recent evidence points to impaired self-regulation, and more specifically poor inhibitory control, as a contributing factor to loss of control over eating among adults; however evidence in adolescent samples is limited. Moreover, in line with dual-process models, researchers have recently started to investigate the moderating role of automatic processes in this relationship, but again studies in adolescents are lacking. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to: (1) investigate whether there is an association between poor inhibitory control and loss of control over eating also among adolescents, and (2) explore whether this relationship is moderated by automatic processing. METHOD: A community sample of 124 adolescents (10-17 years; 65.3% girls; Mage = 14 years; SD = 1.90) was divided into a 'Loss of Control Group' (n = 30) and a 'No Loss of Control Group' (n = 94) based on a clinical interview. Inhibitory control and automatic processing (general and food specific) were measured by self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: Adolescents in the Loss of Control Group reported significantly more problems with overall self-regulation compared to the No Loss of Control Group; however, there was no group difference for inhibition specifically. Contrary to dual-process predictions, there was a trend significant interaction between poor inhibitory control and weaker food specific automatic processing in explaining loss of control over eating. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence was found for problems with overall self-regulation in adolescents with loss of control over eating. Concerning the specific role of inhibitory control, future studies should replicate whether automatic processing is indeed a crucial moderator.
OBJECTIVE: Loss of control over eating is common among adolescents and is associated with negative developmental outcomes. Recent evidence points to impaired self-regulation, and more specifically poor inhibitory control, as a contributing factor to loss of control over eating among adults; however evidence in adolescent samples is limited. Moreover, in line with dual-process models, researchers have recently started to investigate the moderating role of automatic processes in this relationship, but again studies in adolescents are lacking. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to: (1) investigate whether there is an association between poor inhibitory control and loss of control over eating also among adolescents, and (2) explore whether this relationship is moderated by automatic processing. METHOD: A community sample of 124 adolescents (10-17 years; 65.3% girls; Mage = 14 years; SD = 1.90) was divided into a 'Loss of Control Group' (n = 30) and a 'No Loss of Control Group' (n = 94) based on a clinical interview. Inhibitory control and automatic processing (general and food specific) were measured by self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: Adolescents in the Loss of Control Group reported significantly more problems with overall self-regulation compared to the No Loss of Control Group; however, there was no group difference for inhibition specifically. Contrary to dual-process predictions, there was a trend significant interaction between poor inhibitory control and weaker food specific automatic processing in explaining loss of control over eating. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence was found for problems with overall self-regulation in adolescents with loss of control over eating. Concerning the specific role of inhibitory control, future studies should replicate whether automatic processing is indeed a crucial moderator.
Authors: Andrea B Goldschmidt; Kathryn E Smith; Jason M Lavender; Scott G Engel; Alissa Haedt-Matt Journal: J Psychiatr Res Date: 2018-12-15 Impact factor: 4.791
Authors: Meghan E Byrne; Marian Tanofsky-Kraff; Jason M Lavender; Megan N Parker; Lisa M Shank; Taylor N Swanson; Eliana Ramirez; Sarah LeMay-Russell; Shanna B Yang; Sheila M Brady; Anna Zenno; Krishna Karthik Chivukula; Nichole R Kelly; Jack A Yanovski Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2021-01-27 Impact factor: 5.791