Skip to main content
ABCT 2024 58th Annual Convention Main banner
Psychology Tools Ad
Final Program


Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.
Presentation Icons
Recorded Session
Recorded Session
Ticketed Session
Ticketed Session
Back

Eating Disorders

Identity- and Weight-Based Stigma History as a Predictor of Disordered Eating, Depressive Symptoms, and Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors in a Transdiagnostic Clinical Eating Disorder Sample

(PS14-27) Identity- and Weight-based Stigma History as a Predictor of Disordered Eating, Depressive Symptoms, and Self-injurious Thoughts and Behaviors in a Transdiagnostic Clinical Eating Disorder Sample

Sunday, November 17, 2024
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EST
Location: Franklin Hall, Level 4, Marriott Downtown
Abstract Text: Prior research suggests that identity- and weight-based bullying by peers as well as encouragement by authority figures to diet/lose weight may be associated with disordered eating behaviors, depressive symptoms, and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs). However, few studies have examined such variables collectively within a clinical sample to explore their distinct relationships with symptom presentations. As such, the current study aims to ascertain the predictive utility of identity-based bullying, weight-based bullying, and weight loss encouragement for baseline symptoms within a clinical eating disorder (ED) sample. Data were obtained via retrospective chart review for patients (N = 155) who completed a demographic and clinical history questionnaire (PIQ) upon admission to an intentionally-remote, ED treatment program with core cognitive-behavioral programming. The sample was predominantly White (87.1%), cisgender women (79.4%) with a mean age of 30.40 (SD = 12.82). ED and depressive symptoms were assessed via the EDE-Q and PHQ-9, respectively. History of SITBs as well as history of identity- and weight-based bullying by peers and weight loss encouragement (e.g., by parents, doctors, coaches) were measured via single items on the PIQ. A series of hierarchical linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted by entering predictors in three steps (1 = identity-based bullying; 2 = weight-based bullying; 3 = weight loss encouragement) and comparing the resulting models for each outcome variable. Results showed that identity-based bullying alone significantly predicted depressive symptoms [Model 1: R2 = .09, F(1, 151) = 14.20, p < .001; b = 4.31, t = 3.77, p < .001], history of non-suicidal self-injurious behavior [Model 1: ꭓ2(1, N = 155) = 5.86, p = .02, Nagelkerke R2 = .05], and current elevated suicide risk [Model 1: ꭓ2(1, N = 153) = 10.62, p = .001, Nagelkerke R2 = .09]. In contrast, only weight-based bullying emerged as a significant predictor of shape concern [Model 2: R2 = .08, F(2, 152) = 6.29, p = .002; b = 0.82, t = 2.72, p = .007]. Weight stigma, including both weight-based bullying and weight loss encouragement, was significantly predictive of eating concern [Model 3: R2 = .17, F(3, 151) = 10.04, p < .001; weight-based bullying: b = 0.68, t = 2.41, p = .02; weight loss encouragement: b = 0.97, t = 3.66, p < .001]. Only weight loss encouragement significantly predicted weight concern [Model 3: R2 = .08, F(3, 151) =  4.44, p = .005; b = 0.63, t = 2.13, p = .04], history of suicidal ideation [ꭓ2(3, N = 155) = 15.12, p = .002, Nagelkerke R2 = .13], and history of suicidal plans [Model 3: ꭓ2(3, N = 155) = 12.70, p = .005, Nagelkerke R2 = .11]. Across analyses, effect sizes ranged from small to medium. This study enhances our understanding of the link between stigmatizing experiences and psychopathology, elucidating the specific relationships between certain forms of stigma and baseline symptom presentations within individuals receiving ED treatment. Findings underscore the importance of assessing for co-occurring depression and SITBs, especially when relevant types of stigma are reported. Future research should utilize more comprehensive measures of stigma, establish temporal precedence of associations, and identify protective factors.