Understanding eating disorder symptoms in same-gender couples: social environmental factors

Journal of Eating Disorders

Research

Meghan M. Gillen¹  Diane L. Rosenbaum¹  Kristin J. August²  Charlotte H. Markey² 

[1] Abington College, Psychological and Social Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, 1600 Woodland Road, 19001, Abington, PA, USA;Rutgers University, Camden, USA;

关键词: Eating disorders;    Sexual minority individuals;    Same-gender relationship;    Gay;    Lesbian;    Sociocultural attitudes;    Romantic relationship;    Ecological systems theory;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40337-023-00732-z

 received in 2022-04-07, accepted in 2023-01-03,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundSexual minority individuals are at disproportionately greater risk for eating disorders, yet little is known about the ways in which factors in the social environment relate to eating disorder symptoms in this population. Utilizing an ecological systems theory framework, we investigated the relative relationships of macro level (i.e., internalization of sociocultural attitudes about appearance) and micro level (i.e., quality of romantic relationship) social environment influences.MethodsMen (n = 144) and women (n = 144) in committed same-gender relationships were recruited as a dyad and completed study questionnaires, including multiple measures of eating disorder symptoms. Multilevel models controlling for key variables (e.g., body mass index) were used to examine gender differences, main effects, and interactions.ResultsMen reported greater internalization of sociocultural attitudes and uncontrolled eating. Greater internalization of sociocultural attitudes was related to greater eating pathology across all measures. For men, greater relationship quality was related to less uncontrolled eating.ConclusionsIndividuals in same-gender relationships experience macro (e.g., sociocultural) level vulnerability factors in relation to disordered eating; however, internalization of sociocultural attitudes may be greater for men. Support at the microsystem level in the form of a high quality committed romantic relationship appears to be helpful protection against uncontrolled eating for men.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023