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Fear of negative evaluation among eating disorders: Examining the association with weight/shape concerns in adolescence
Author(s) -
Trompeter Nora,
Bussey Kay,
Hay Phillipa,
Griffiths Scott,
Murray Stuart B.,
Mond Jonathan,
Lonergan Alexandra,
Pike Kathleen M.,
Mitchison Deborah
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.23018
Subject(s) - association (psychology) , psychology , eating disorders , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , psychotherapist
Objective Fear of negative evaluation has been proposed as a transdiagnostic factor associated with the development of eating disorders and has been shown to relate to disorders of body image, especially those with weight/shape concerns such as eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia. The current study aimed to investigate whether fear of negative evaluation was a transdiagnostic factor of disorders diagnostically characterized by weight/shape concerns. The study examined whether fear of negative evaluation was associated with higher odds for meeting criteria for an eating disorder and/or muscle dysmorphia, especially those disorders diagnostically characterized by weight/shape concerns. Method Data were used from a subgroup of the first wave of the EveryBODY study, a longitudinal investigation of eating disorders and body image concerns among Australian adolescents ( N = 4,030). Participants completed measures on demographics, weight/shape concerns, disordered eating, psychological distress, muscularity concerns, and fear of negative evaluation. Results Findings revealed that fear of negative evaluation was associated with higher odds of meeting criteria for any eating disorder but significantly more so for those characterized by weight/shape concerns diagnostically, as well as binge‐eating disorder. Similar results were found for muscle dysmorphia. Discussion The findings suggest that fear of negative evaluation constitutes a transdiagnostic feature for developing and/or maintaining an eating disorder.