PHD, Kent State University, 2014, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences

Although a considerable body of research has assessed the antecedents and consequences of binge episodes among individuals with Bulimia Nervosa (BN), the maintaining mechanisms of bulimic symptomatology have yet to be fully understood. Furthermore, it is unclear how the daily symptoms of individuals with Purging Disorder (PD) compare to BN. The present study examined the cognitions, emotions, and eating behaviors of individuals with bulimic spectrum disorders and controls using Ecological Momentary Assessment methodology. A sample of 42 women with Bulimic Spectrum disorders (BN: n=33; PD: n=9) and controls (n=31) completed daily diary assessments on mobile devices for 10 days. Results indicated that individuals with BN reported more objective binge episodes (OBEs) than those with PD and controls, yet those with BN and PD did not differ in the frequency of subjective binge episodes (SBEs). Negative affect was predictive of cognitive, yet not behavioral, aspects of dietary restriction, and increases in negative affect and guilt were predictive of OBEs, but not SBEs. Contrary to the affect regulation model, binge episodes did not effectively regulate affect. Furthermore, affect lability was associated with higher levels of eating psychopathology and OBE frequencies. Whereas OBEs predicted subsequent cognitive restraint, neither OBEs nor SBEs predicted post-eating body dissatisfaction, increased negative affect or guilt, or thoughts of exercise or purging. Findings highlight the differential relationships between eating psychopathology, cognitive and behavioral aspects of dietary restriction, and affective changes among individuals with BN and PD, as well as the similarities and differences in BN and PD symptomatology.

Committee: Janis Crowther (Advisor); Joel Hughes (Committee Member); Jeffery Ciesla (Committee Member); Manfred Van Dulmen (Committee Member); Richard Adams (Committee Member); Susan Roxburgh (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Health; Mental Health; Psychology

MA, Kent State University, 2011, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences

Purging Disorder (PD) is an understudied pattern of behaviors within the Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) diagnostic category. Although such categorization suggests PD is not as clinically significant as other eating disorders, recent evidence has suggested otherwise. However, it remains to be determined if PD is distinct from other clinically significant eating disorder categories. Thus, the present study sought to assess the phenomenology, clinical significance, and distinctiveness of PD. Group scores on measures of eating pathology, body image disturbance, and psychological correlates were compared (using MANOVA) among a female undergraduate sample (N= 91) of PD (n= 17), Bulimia Nervosa (BN; n=35), restrained eaters (n=18), and healthy controls (n=21). Results indicated the PD group both differed from and resembled the BN and restrained eater groups on different variables. Findings support the conceptualization of PD as existing along a spectrum of bulimic spectrum disorders rather than as a distinct diagnostic category.

Committee: Janis Crowther (Advisor) Subjects: Psychology