Personality Traits and Night Eating Syndrome in Women With Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder

Abstract

Purpose Evidence suggests that the harm avoidance personality type is more common among individuals with night eating syndrome (NES) than in the general population. Evidence of associations with other personality traits is limited. The current study investigated the association between a range of personality traits and NES.Methods Cross-sectional data were used from women with bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder referred for treatment in an outpatient psychotherapy trial. Regression analyses were used to test associations between personality traits (measured with the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised) and NES symptoms (measured with the Night Eating Questionnaire), adjusting for potential confounding variables.Results The sample included 111 women. Low cooperativeness scores were associated with greater NES symptoms in the multivariable model (mean difference: -.10, 95% confidence intervals: -.20 to -.01, p = 0.033). There was weak evidence of associations between both high harm avoidance and low self-directedness personality traits and greater NES symptoms.Conclusions The finding that low cooperativeness was associated with greater NES symptoms is novel. Further research is needed to validate its presence in those with and without comorbid eating disorders and to examine the relative change in NES, eating disorder symptoms and personality scores in treatments focusing on cooperativeness.Level of evidence Level I (randomised controlled trial, CTB/04/08/139)