Eating Disorder Symptoms and Proneness in Gay Men, Lesbian Women, and Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Adults: Comparati

Course overview

This study sought to compare eating disorder attitudes and behaviors, and proneness to an eating disorder ('ED proneness'), between gay men, lesbian women, and transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) adults. A further aim was to identify and compare risk and protective factors, and examine a mediational model based on the interpersonal theory of eating disorders (IPT-ED), whereby the association between interpersonal factors and ED proneness would be mediated by psychological constructs pertaining to the self and negative affect. Materials and methods, including the participant sample, measured collected, and statistical analyses are presented. The results indicate significant differences between groups in ED proneness, weight-based self-worth, and dissatisfaction with eating patterns. Several predictor variables were found to be statistically significant with differences between groups, including depression, perceived stigma, and self-compassion. Additional mediational analyses are discussed. Additionally, the interpersonal theory of eating disorders was found to extend to sexual minority and gender diverse populations; however the results suggest a broadening of theoretical models and intervention programs to include the role of stigma and self-compassion.