The role of discrimination and adverse childhood experiences in disordered eating

Abstract

Background In clinical research, there has been a call to move beyond individual psychosocial factors towards identifying cultural and social factors that inform mental health. Similar calls have been made in the eating disorders (ED) field underscoring the need to understand larger sociocultural influences on EDs. Discrimination is a social stressor that may influence mental health in similar ways to traumatic or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Given the high rates of EDs and discrimination among marginalized groups, it is vital to understand the role of discrimination and ACEs as predictors of ED symptoms in these populations. The aim of this study is to examine how perceived discrimination predicts ED pathology when statistically adjusting for gender, race, and ACEs. Methods The diverse study sample consisted of 331 undergraduate students from a longitudinal cohort study (ages 18–24; 66% female; 35% White/non-Hispanic). Participants completed measures of everyday discrimination, ACEs, and ED pathology. Results Following adjustment for multiple statistical comparisons, the frequency of daily discrimination predicted all ED symptoms above and beyond history of ACEs. In follow-up analyses, number of reasons for discrimination predicted cognitive restraint and purging. Differences in ED symptomatology were found based on the reason for discrimination, gender, and race. Specifically, those who experienced weight discrimination endorsed higher scores on all ED symptoms, and those experiencing gender discrimination endorsed higher body dissatisfaction, cognitive restraint, and restriction. People of color endorsed higher restriction, while female participants endorsed higher scores on all ED symptom with the exception of cognitive restraint. Conclusion Discrimination is a salient risk factor for ED symptoms even when accounting for individuals’ history of ACEs. Future research should utilize an intersectional approach to examine how perceived discrimination affects ED pathology over time. (Word count: 234).

Association of adverse childhood experiences with irritable bowel syndrome in Mexican adults: A cross‐sectional study

“…[27][28][29] Such disorders are particularly prevalent among individuals with IBS. 30,31 Additionally, ACEsinduced sleep disturbances can amplify IBS manifestations. 32,33 The confluence of chronic inflammation and visceral hyperalgesia, both exacerbated by ACEs, can lead to an augmented perception of pain.…”

“…ACEs are known to alter dietary behaviors, thereby increasing susceptibility to eating disorders 27–29 . Such disorders are particularly prevalent among individuals with IBS 30,31 . Additionally, ACEs‐induced sleep disturbances can amplify IBS manifestations 32,33 .…”

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the Link to Antisocial, Delinquent, and Criminal Behaviors

“…Other negative outcomes linked to ACEs and mental health issues include anger issues [11,28,30], low self-worth [13,28], suicide attempts [5,23,24,28], psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and sadness) [11,13,28], social withdrawal [11,13,16,28], and eating disorders [36].…”