Self-critical perfectionism and binge eating symptoms: A longitudinal test of the intervening role of psychological need frustration.

Abstract

Although abundant research has shown that self-critical perfectionism relates to binge eating symptoms, fewer studies have addressed the role of intervening processes that might explain why this is the case. Grounded in self-determination theory, we hypothesized that self-critical perfectionism would relate to an increased risk for binge eating symptoms because it engenders frustration of the psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. This hypothesis was tested in a sample of 566 adolescents (72% female; mean age = 13.3 years) using a 3-wave longitudinal study with a 6-month interval. Structural equation modeling analyses showed that self-critical perfectionism related to increases in psychological need frustration which, in turn, predicted increases in binge eating symptoms. Structural relations were found to be equivalent for males and females. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Gaming Motivation and Problematic Video Gaming: The Role of Needs Frustration

“…As expected, gaming motivations and daily needs frustration are positively associated with PVG. These associations are consistent with work in other areas of study (Boone et al, 2014;Clarke, 2004;Costa et al, 2016;González-Cutre & Sicilia, 2012;Symons Downs, Savage, & DiNallo, 2013). However, in building upon previous research, the present findings are the first to show that the experience of daily autonomy frustration partially mediates the association between both introjected regulation of and amotivation toward gaming and PVG.…”

“…Only two studies have shown a mediational role of needs frustration in explaining the presence of a problematic behavior, and both used reports of perfectionism as a predictor of needs frustration within a sport-specific context (Costa et al, 2016) or in daily life (Boone et al, 2014). Results demonstrated that perfectionism contributed to a problematic behavior (e.g., binge eating, exercise dependence) through an increase in needs frustration.…”

“…This final model (Model C in Figure 1) suggests gaming motivations contribute to reports of PVG through increased experiences of needs frustration. Although this model does not have as much empirical support as Model A or Model B, recent research in a tangentially related area of study demonstrated that perfectionism contributes to the presence of eating disorders through an increase in daily needs frustration (Boone, Vansteenkiste, Soenens, Van der Kaap-Deeder, & Verstuyf, 2014). Conceptualizations of perfectionism do parallel some of the broad qualities of introjected regulation including an inability to control internal pressures.…”

Autonomy and Autonomy Disturbances in Self‐Development and Psychopathology: Research on Motivation, Attachment, and Clinical Process

“…In fact clinical studies applying SDT attest to the positive consequences of autonomy-supportive treatment climates, including higher treatment attendance, less dropout, less relapse, and enhanced well-being over the course of treatment. Such results have been obtained in various domains such as drug and alcohol dependence (Foote et al, 1999;Ryan, Plant, & O'Malley, 1995;Zeldman, Ryan, & Fiscella, 2004), weight loss (Williams, Grow, Freedman, Ryan, & Deci, 1996), smoking cessation (Williams, McGregor, et al, 2006), general medication adherence (Williams, Rodin, Ryan, Grolnick, & Deci, 1998), HIV-related medication adherence (Kennedy, Gogin, & Nollen, 2004), eating disorders (Van der Kaap-Deeder et al, 2014), and other issues.…”

Binge-eating disorder: emerging treatments for a new diagnosis

“…Performing below those standards is not well tolerated and results in self-criticism and negative affect. Such traits have been associated with those at risk for eating disorders and have been demonstrated in adolescents with BED specifically [15].…”