Journal of Affective Disorders Reports (Jan 2023)
Unique and shared correlates of disordered eating and non-suicidal self-injury among school-based adolescents
Abstract
Background: Disordered eating (DE) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) commonly co-occur, resulting in increasingly adverse outcomes. Parental bonding, self-esteem, emotion dysregulation, and body-related concerns have been implicated in DE and NSSI, separately and in combination. Little is known about how they contribute to their interrelationship. Thus, the present study investigates the degree to which those constructs represent shared or unique risk factors for NSSI, DE and their overlapping. Methods: Participants were 309 Italian school students (Mage=15.64, SD=1.98) screened by mixed methods. Based on a semi-structured interview and a clinical cut-off, they were divided into four groups: NSSI (n=58), DE (n=118), DE+NSSI (n=34), and a control group (CG; n=99). MANCOVAs were used to examine differences in the dependent measures. A series of stepwise logistic regressions were also used to investigate which of the dependent variables best predicted group membership. Results: NSSI, DE, and DE+NSSI scored significantly different on almost all measures compared to CG, while the combined group showed greater impairment than other groups. Body-related constructs significantly differentiated the DE group from the NSSI group. The co-occurrence of DE and NSSI was influenced by emotion dysregulation and body dissatisfaction. Limitations: Sample of typically functioning adolescents completing self-report measures. Conclusions: Difficulties in regulating emotions and body dissatisfaction appear to increase the likelihood of co-occurrence, while body-related concerns have more salience to DE. Enhancing emotion regulation skills may be an effective intervention measure, also targeting body-related constructs according to the predominant condition. Further investigation of risk factors would result in more comprehensive etiological models.
