A Theoretical and Empirical Linkage between Road Accidents and Binge Eating Behaviors in Adolescence

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying specific clusters of maladaptive emotional–behavioral symptoms in adolescent victims of motorbike collisions considering their scores on alexithymia and impulsivity in addition to examining the prevalence of clinical binge eating behaviors (respectively through the Youth Self-Report (YSR), Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and Binge Eating Scale (BES)). Emotional–behavioral profiles, difficulties in identifying and describing feelings, impulsivity, and binge eating behaviors have been assessed in 159 adolescents addressing emergency departments following motorbike collisions. Our results showed a cluster of adolescents with clinical binge eating behaviors, high rates of motorbike accidents, and high levels of internalizing and externalizing problems, alexithymia, and impulsivity (23.3% of the sample); a second cluster of adolescents with clinical binge eating behaviors, a moderate number of collisions, and moderate levels of emotional and behavioral problems on the above four dimensions (25.8% of the sample); and a third cluster of youth without clinical binge eating behaviors, with a moderate number of accidents, and with low scores on the four dimensions (50.9% of the sample). Adolescents of Cluster 1 showed a higher likelihood to be involved in motorbike collisions than the youth in Clusters 2 and 3 (p < 0.0001). We suggest that adolescents’ motor collisions could be associated with their difficulties in emotion regulation and with their impaired psychological profiles, which could also underpin their disordered eating. The identification of specific clusters of psychopathological symptoms among this population could be useful for the construction of prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing motor collision recidivism and alleviating co-occurring psychopathologies.

Motor Vehicle Collisions during Adolescence: The Role of Alexithymic Traits and Defense Strategies

“…(2) The possible associations between MVCs, alexithymic traits, and maladaptive defense strategies use. We hypothesized that a higher rate of MVCs is associated with higher emotional difficulties in terms of alexithymia and significant use of immature defense strategies, in line with previous studies in the field [ 63 , 64 , 85 ]. (3) Possible mediation role played by adolescents’ maladaptive defense strategies use in the relationship between alexithymia and frequencies of MVCs.…”

“…Only a few studies have explored the possible individual vulnerabilities that may predispose the adolescent to a higher risk of MVCs [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ]. In this field, clinicians and researchers rooted in the Developmental Psychopathology framework [ 61 , 62 ] have suggested that the presence of adolescents’ emotional difficulties preceding the accidents may lead to a higher risk of a MVC [ 63 , 64 , 65 ], as a form of acting out to cope with underlying psychological sufferance [ 66 , 67 , 68 ]. Some studies have focused on clinical samples of adolescents, evidencing significant associations between MVCs and ADHD [ 69 ], depression [ 70 ], personality disorders [ 71 ], and binge eating disorder [ 64 ].…”

“…Indeed, whereas some studies have suggested the mediation role of alexithymia in the relationship between dysfunctional defense mechanisms and adolescents’ high-risk activities [ 83 ], other studies have suggested that the relationship between alexithymic traits and maladaptive psychological functioning could be mediated by immature defense strategies use [ 76 , 79 ]. Research specifically focusing on MVCs in adolescence is scarce [ 45 , 46 , 84 ], but it has also shown significant associations both with alexithymia and immature defense strategies [ 63 , 64 , 85 ]. However, to date, no study has explored this complex relationship in relation to adolescents’ MVCs.…”

Self-esteem and other risk factors for depressive symptoms among adolescents in United Arab Emirates

“…Traumatic events can predispose adolescents to develop symptoms of depression and/or other psychiatric disorders. For instance motor vehicle accidents can induce maladaptive behaviors in children including a disturbed eating patterns which might be a reflection of psychological difficulties and emotional dysregulation [26,27].…”

Videogame-related experiences among regular adolescent gamers

“…Furthermore, during the specific evolutionary phase of adolescence, characterized by different physical, biological, psychological and social changes [19,20], individuals become especially vulnerable to suffer some problems specifically identified as eating disorders [21,22] or addictive disorders [23].…”