Associations between inattention and impulsivity ADHD symptoms and disordered eating risk in a community sample of young adults
Associations between inattention and impulsivity ADHD symptoms and disordered eating risk in a community sample of young adults
Background: symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and trait impulsivity have been associated with disordered eating but are seldom assessed in community studies, or longitudinally and little is known about the mediating mechanisms.
Methods: we tested associations between ADHD symptoms and disordered eating cross-sectionally and between trait impulsivity and disordered eating longitudinally. We utilised data from a normative cohort of young adults (642 participants: 65% female, Mage = 23 years). Participants were classified as high risk or low risk for disordered eating using the SCOFF instrument. In the first two steps of both cross-sectional and longitudinal hierarchical logistic regression models, demographics and covariates were entered. For the cross-sectional regression, Adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS) scores, separated into inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, were entered in the third step. In a separate longitudinal model, Barratt impulsivity scale subscales (attentional, motor and non-planning impulsivity) were entered in the third step. Depression, as assessed by the moods and feelings questionnaire (MFQ), was examined as a mediator.
Results: cross-sectionally, sex, MFQ score and inattentive symptoms predicted disordered eating risk (model R2 = 20%). Longitudinally, sex, MFQ score and attentional impulsivity predicted disordered eating risk (model R2 = 16%). The relationship between inattentive symptoms and the disordered eating risk was partially mediated by MFQ score, whereas the relationship between attentional impulsivity and the disordered eating risk was fully mediated by MFQ scores.
Conclusions: these data highlight (1) a specific role for inattentive symptoms of ADHD and (2) the importance of both depression and impulsivity in predicting eating disorder risk.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, disordered eating, hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, longitudinal
2622-2631
Martin, E.
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Dourish, C.T.
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Hook, R.
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Chamberlain, S.R.
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Higgs, S.
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4 October 2022
Martin, E.
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Dourish, C.T.
1f6d0f3b-1e4e-4829-b17a-9b0dd2e72cc5
Hook, R.
8e06533d-b2ca-4adb-9639-6ee8edafb3b7
Chamberlain, S.R.
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Higgs, S.
9cde657a-a70a-42a9-b4aa-c8e0b23c7237
Martin, E., Dourish, C.T., Hook, R., Chamberlain, S.R. and Higgs, S.
(2022)
Associations between inattention and impulsivity ADHD symptoms and disordered eating risk in a community sample of young adults.
Psychological Medicine, 52 (13), .
(doi:10.1017/S0033291720004638).
Abstract
Background: symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and trait impulsivity have been associated with disordered eating but are seldom assessed in community studies, or longitudinally and little is known about the mediating mechanisms.
Methods: we tested associations between ADHD symptoms and disordered eating cross-sectionally and between trait impulsivity and disordered eating longitudinally. We utilised data from a normative cohort of young adults (642 participants: 65% female, Mage = 23 years). Participants were classified as high risk or low risk for disordered eating using the SCOFF instrument. In the first two steps of both cross-sectional and longitudinal hierarchical logistic regression models, demographics and covariates were entered. For the cross-sectional regression, Adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS) scores, separated into inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, were entered in the third step. In a separate longitudinal model, Barratt impulsivity scale subscales (attentional, motor and non-planning impulsivity) were entered in the third step. Depression, as assessed by the moods and feelings questionnaire (MFQ), was examined as a mediator.
Results: cross-sectionally, sex, MFQ score and inattentive symptoms predicted disordered eating risk (model R2 = 20%). Longitudinally, sex, MFQ score and attentional impulsivity predicted disordered eating risk (model R2 = 16%). The relationship between inattentive symptoms and the disordered eating risk was partially mediated by MFQ score, whereas the relationship between attentional impulsivity and the disordered eating risk was fully mediated by MFQ scores.
Conclusions: these data highlight (1) a specific role for inattentive symptoms of ADHD and (2) the importance of both depression and impulsivity in predicting eating disorder risk.
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associations-between-inattention-and-impulsivity-adhd-symptoms-and-disordered-eating-risk-in-a-community-sample-of-young-adults
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e-pub ahead of print date: 4 December 2020
Published date: 4 October 2022
Keywords:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, disordered eating, hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, longitudinal
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Local EPrints ID: 492635
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/492635
ISSN: 0033-2917
PURE UUID: 56cd97dd-c0d8-4ea3-97ea-2aeb85f3f872
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Date deposited: 08 Aug 2024 16:37
Last modified: 09 Aug 2024 02:02
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Author:
E. Martin
Author:
C.T. Dourish
Author:
R. Hook
Author:
S.R. Chamberlain
Author:
S. Higgs
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