The Relationship Between Anxiety Sensitivity and Disordered Eating: The Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance

Authors

Jessica J. Fulton, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Jason M. Lavender, Neuropsychiatric Research InstituteFollow
Matthew T. Tull, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow
Angela S. Klein, GenPsych
Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp, University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireFollow
Kim L. Gratz, University of Mississippi Medical CenterFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2012

School

Psychology

Abstract

This study examined the role of experiential avoidance in the association between dimensions of anxiety sensitivity (AS) and disordered eating. A sample of 395 undergraduate students completed a series of questionnaires assessing the constructs of interest. Results indicate that the AS dimension of fear of cognitive dyscontrol was significantly uniquely associated with disordered eating. Furthermore, results provide support for a model in which experiential avoidance mediates the association between fear of cognitive dyscontrol and disordered eating. Findings of the present study highlight one potential mechanism underlying the association between AS and disordered eating, suggesting that efforts to avoid internal experiences may play a role in eating pathology. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication Title

Eating Behaviors

Volume

13

Issue

2

First Page

166

Last Page

169

Recommended Citation

Fulton, J. J., Lavender, J. M., Tull, M. T., Klein, A. S., Muehlenkamp, J. J., Gratz, K. L. (2012). The Relationship Between Anxiety Sensitivity and Disordered Eating: The Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance. Eating Behaviors, 13(2), 166-169.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/273