Exploring differences in eating disorder symptomatology and treatment outcomes between sexual minority and heterosexual women in eating disorder treatment programs

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Description

Research on eating disorder (ED) symptomatology in sexual minority (SM) women is limited and has demonstrated inconsistent findings with respect to how they differ from heterosexual women. Further, many studies combine SM women into one group, potentially masking important sub-group differences.... Show moreResearch on eating disorder (ED) symptomatology in sexual minority (SM) women is limited and has demonstrated inconsistent findings with respect to how they differ from heterosexual women. Further, many studies combine SM women into one group, potentially masking important sub-group differences. Existing data appears to suggest that SM women may be at similar or increased risk for certain types of disordered eating behaviors and present with body image concerns that may differ from heteronormative female body ideals. However, it is unclear how weight and shape control behaviors differ across sexual orientations in women seeking treatment for EDs, and if there are differences in treatment outcomes. The present study used analyses of variance and covariance to test 1) group differences in frequency and severity of ED symptomatology and 2) differences in group by time interaction effects as an indicator of treatment outcomes in a sample of 3,120 adult women of diverse sexual orientations who presented for ED treatment between 2015 and 2018. Participants identified their sexuality as heterosexual, lesbian, bisexual, or other/unsure. Results indicated notable group differences in ED symptoms upon admission to treatment. Bisexual women, in particular, presented to treatment at younger ages, with higher BMIs, and more severe illnesses than heterosexual women. Further, results from the present study suggest that despite such differences, women across sexual orientation groups achieved similar treatment outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of subgroup analyses of ED symptoms in SM women and have both clinical and research implications related to ED psychopathology in this population. Show less

Details
Department

PSYC / Psychology

Title

Exploring differences in eating disorder symptomatology and treatment outcomes between sexual minority and heterosexual women in eating disorder treatment programs

Institution

Illinois Institute of Technology

Creator(s)

Murray, Matthew Ford

Advisor(s)

Haedt-Matt, Alissa

Date

2020

Description

Research on eating disorder (ED) symptomatology in sexual minority (SM) women is limited and has demonstrated inconsistent findings with respect to how they differ from heterosexual women. Further,... Show moreResearch on eating disorder (ED) symptomatology in sexual minority (SM) women is limited and has demonstrated inconsistent findings with respect to how they differ from heterosexual women. Further, many studies combine SM women into one group, potentially masking important sub-group differences. Existing data appears to suggest that SM women may be at similar or increased risk for certain types of disordered eating behaviors and present with body image concerns that may differ from heteronormative female body ideals. However, it is unclear how weight and shape control behaviors differ across sexual orientations in women seeking treatment for EDs, and if there are differences in treatment outcomes. The present study used analyses of variance and covariance to test 1) group differences in frequency and severity of ED symptomatology and 2) differences in group by time interaction effects as an indicator of treatment outcomes in a sample of 3,120 adult women of diverse sexual orientations who presented for ED treatment between 2015 and 2018. Participants identified their sexuality as heterosexual, lesbian, bisexual, or other/unsure. Results indicated notable group differences in ED symptoms upon admission to treatment. Bisexual women, in particular, presented to treatment at younger ages, with higher BMIs, and more severe illnesses than heterosexual women. Further, results from the present study suggest that despite such differences, women across sexual orientation groups achieved similar treatment outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of subgroup analyses of ED symptoms in SM women and have both clinical and research implications related to ED psychopathology in this population. Show less

Type

Thesis

File type

application/pdf

Subject

Clinical psychology
Bisexual
Body Image Concerns
Eating Disorders
Lesbian
Sexual Minority
Treatment

Access

Restricted Access

Rights

In Copyright
http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/

Identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10560/islandora:1009811

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