The functional assessment of maladaptive behaviors: A preliminary evaluation of binge eating and purging among women

Abstract This study applied a functional approach to the study of bingeing and purging behaviors. Based on a four-function theoretical model of bingeing and purging, it was hypothesized that these behaviors are performed because of their intrapersonally reinforcing (e.g., emotion regulation) and/or...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatry research 2010-08, Vol.178 (3), p.518-524
Main Authors: Wedig, Michelle M, Nock, Matthew K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Bulimia
Bulimia - complications
Bulimia - diagnosis
Bulimia Nervosa - complications
Bulimia Nervosa - diagnosis
Bulimia Nervosa - psychology
Eating behavior disorders
Eating disorders
Female
Functional assessment
General Adaptation Syndrome - diagnosis
General Adaptation Syndrome - etiology
Humans
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous
Motivation
Principal Component Analysis
Psychiatry
Psychological assessment
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis
Reinforcement (Psychology)
Reproducibility of Results
Statistics as Topic
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract This study applied a functional approach to the study of bingeing and purging behaviors. Based on a four-function theoretical model of bingeing and purging, it was hypothesized that these behaviors are performed because of their intrapersonally reinforcing (e.g., emotion regulation) and/or interpersonally reinforcing (e.g., help-seeking, attention-getting behavior) properties. Participants were 298 adult females who had engaged in bingeing or purging in the last 3 months and who provided data via an online survey of these behaviors. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed support for a four-function model of bingeing and purging in which people use these behaviors for intrapersonal reinforcement functions and also for interpersonal reinforcement. Understanding the functions of binge eating and purging has direct implications for assessment and treatment of these behaviors.
ISSN:0165-1781
1872-7123
DOI:10.1016/j.psychres.2009.05.010