Personality Assessment Inventory profiles of university students with eating disorders

Abstract

BackgroundEating disorders are complex disorders that involve medical and psychological symptoms. Understanding the psychological factors associated with different eating disorders is important for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.MethodsThis study sought to determine on which of the 22 Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) scales patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) differed, and whether the PAI can be used to classify eating disorder subtypes. Because we were interested in both whether the PAI could be used to differentiate eating disorder subtypes from each other, as well as from other disorders, we also included a group of patients with major depression.ResultsThe three eating disorder groups did differ significantly from each other, and from the patients with depression, on a number of the PAI scales. Only two PAI scales (Anxiety and Depression), however, exceeded a T-score of 70 for the patients with anorexia nervosa, no scales exceeded a T-score of 70 for the patients with bulimia nervosa or EDNOS, and only two exceeded a T-score of 70 for the patients with depression (Depression and Suicide). A discriminant function analysis revealed an overall correct classification between the groups of 81.6%.ConclusionsThe PAI helps to understand the psychological factors associated with eating disorders and can be used to assist with assessment. Continued investigation using the PAI in an eating disordered population is supported.

Psychopathology Factors That Affect the Relationship Between Body Size and Body Dissatisfaction and the Relationship Between Body Dissatisfaction and Eating Pathology

“…Studies that have examined the personality traits associated with EP have most commonly measured personality with the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Wade et al, 1995), Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (Leon et al, 1995; Pryor and Wiederman, 1996) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (Cachelin et al, 1997; Exterkate et al, 2007). Some researchers have used the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991) among ED populations (e.g., Tasca et al, 2002; Bean et al, 2005; Tasca et al, 2009; Lampard et al, 2013; MacGregor and Lamborn, 2014); however, to our knowledge, no researchers to date have used the PAI to examine potential protective factors for EP. The PAI is considered a substantial improvement over other personality tests, has strong psychometric properties and, as such, has grown in clinical popularity (Helmes, 1993; Blais et al, 2010).…”

Associations between Schizotypal Facets and Symptoms of Disordered Eating in Women

“…One strand of research has focused on the role of personality features in the aetiology of symptoms of disordered eating [ 9 , 10 ]. In particular, personality disorders are frequently comorbid with eating disorders [ 11 ], with some studies suggesting that comorbidity may reach 60% [ 12 ].…”