Unique relationships between facets of mindfulness and eating pathology among female smokers

Abstract

Female smokers often have higher levels of eating disorder symptoms than non-smokers, and concerns about eating and weight might interfere with smoking cessation. Thus, it is critical to identify factors to promote healthier eating and body image in this population. Initial research suggests that specific aspects of trait mindfulness predict lower body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms among non-smokers. However, these relationships are unknown among smokers. The current study examined associations between facets of trait mindfulness and eating disorder symptoms in 112 college female smokers (83% Caucasian; mean age 20 years, SD = 1.69). After controlling for relevant sociodemographic variables, Describing and Nonjudging facets of mindfulness predicted lower bulimic symptoms and body dissatisfaction (ps < .05), while Acting with Awareness predicted lower bulimic and anorexic symptoms, ps < .05. Observing predicted higher anorexic symptoms, p < .05. These results suggest that specific mindfulness facets are related to lower eating disorder symptoms among smokers, whereas other facets are not associated or have a positive relationship with these symptoms. Mindfulness-based interventions focusing on Describing, Nonjudging, and Acting with Awareness may help to reduce eating pathology among female smokers, which could potentially improve smoking cessation rates in this population.

Psychological Flexibility and Mindfulness Explain Intuitive Eating in Overweight Adults

“…Lattimore et al (2011) also found that observing was positively associated to uncontrolled eating and cognitive restraint of eating (Lattimore et al, 2011). Adams et al (2012) found that describing and non-judging predicted lower symptoms of bulimia nervosa and lower body dissatisfaction, and acting with awareness was positively related to lower symptoms of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, whereas observing predicted higher anorexic symptoms. Seen together, these results suggest that simply observing one's presentmoment experience is not necessarily beneficial to healthy eating behavior unless it is combined with other aspects of mindfulness (i.e., a non-judgmental, non-reactive stance toward those experiences).…”

“…Lattimore, Fisher, and Malinowski (2011) found that observing was positively associated to uncontrolled eating and cognitive restraint of eating (Lattimore et al, 2011). Adams et al (2012) found that describing and non-judging predicted lower symptoms of bulimia nervosa and lower body dissatisfaction, and acting with awareness was positively related to lower symptoms of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, whereas observing predicted higher anorexic symptoms. Besides, Lavender et al (2011) found that non-reactivity, acting with awareness, and non-judging each uniquely predicted lower anorexic symptoms, whereas describing was related to higher symptoms (Lavender et al, 2011).…”

Mechanisms of mindfulness training: Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT)

“…Indeed, monitoring ( Observe ) predicted higher anorexic symptoms among young women (Adams et al, 2012); in this case, self-reported monitoring may be related to hyper-focus on weight and food cues and self-focused attention. Monitoring ( Observe ) has also been associated with poorer subjective health and more physician visits for psychological and physical health (Consedine & Butler, 2014); a strong tendency to monitor may increase focus on somatic sensations and intensify them unless viewed with acceptance.…”

A meta-analysis of the relationship between trait mindfulness and substance use behaviors

“…Additionally, trait mindfulness might be differentially related to distinct substance use behaviors (Black et al, 2011; Fernandez et al, 2010; Robinson, 2010). In particular, trait mindfulness has been most consistently related to alcohol use behaviors (Fernandez et al, 2010; Murphy, 2012; Murphy and MacKillop, 2012; Robinson, 2010), but the relationship has been less consistent for tobacco use (Adams et al, 2012a; Black et al, 2011; Black et al, 2012; Luberto et al, 2011) and marijuana use behaviors (Bonn-Miller et al, 2010; Phillip, 2010). …”