Interpersonal problem areas and alexithymia in adolescent girls with loss of control eating

Authors

Sarah Shafer Berger, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Camden Elliott, Uniformed Services University ofUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health the Health Sciences,
Lisa Ranzenhofer, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Lauren Shomaker, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Louise Hannallah, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Sara Field, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Jami Young, Rutgers University
Tracy Sbrocco, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences,
Denise Wilfley, Washington University School of Medicine
Jack Yanovski, Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of HealthFollow

Date of this Version

2014

Citation

Comprehensive Psychiatry 55 (2014) 170–178

Comments

This article is a U.S. government work, and is not subject to copyright in the United States.

Abstract

This study investigated the links among interpersonal problem areas, depression, and alexithymia in adolescent girls at high risk for excessive weight gain and binge eating disorder. Participants were 56 girls (M_age = 14.30, SD = 1.56; 53% non-Hispanic White) with a body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) between the 75th and 97th percentiles (M_{BMI z} = 1.57, SD = 0.32). By design, all participants reported loss of control eating patterns in the past month. Adolescents were individually interviewed prior to participating in a group interpersonal psychotherapy obesity and eating disorder prevention program, termed IPT for the prevention of excessive weight gain (IPT-WG). Participants' interpersonal problem areas were coded by trained raters. Participants also completed questionnaires assessing depression and alexithymia. Primary interpersonal problem areas were categorized as interpersonal deficits [as defined in the eating disorders (ED) literature] (n = 29), role disputes (n = 22), or role transitions (n = 5). Girls with interpersonal deficits–ED had greater depressive symptoms and alexithymia than girls with role disputes (p's ≤ 0.01). However, girls with role transitions did not differ from girls with interpersonal deficits–ED or role disputes. Interpersonal problem area had an indirect association with depression via alexithymia; interpersonal deficits– ED were related to greater alexithymia, which in turn, was related to greater depressive symptoms (p = 0.01). Among girls at risk for excess weight gain and eating disorders, those with interpersonal deficits–ED appear to have greater distress as compared to girls with role disputes or role transitions. Future research is required to elucidate the impact of interpersonal problem areas on psychotherapy outcomes.