Drunkorexia: Normative behavior or gateway to alcohol and eating pathology?. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Simons, Raluca M.; Hansen, Jamie M.; Simons, Jeffrey S.; Hovrud, Lindsey; Hahn, Austin M.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 112(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Drunkorexia -- Bulimia -- Drinking -- Motives -- Structural equation model; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106577
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Highlights: Motivational model of drunkorexia tested via structural equation modeling. Tested risk factors of associated motives, body dissatisfaction, and thinness drive. Drive for thinness and alcohol coping motives positively associated to drunkorexia. Drunkorexia was associated with alcohol-related outcomes, but not bulimia pathology. Drunkorexia is a unique construct apart from bulimia behaviors. Abstract: Drunkorexia is characterized by a group of behaviors designed to minimize caloric intake while maximizing levels of alcohol intoxication. Individuals plan and modify their diet, via skipping meals, exercising, or purging, to save calories for a night of alcohol consumption. Minimal research has examined risk factors related to drunkorexia, and little is known regarding associated problems. We used structural equation modeling to test associations between coping and enhancement motives, drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating (i.e., bulimia behaviors) and drinking among an at-risk college population ( N = 364). Drive for thinness and alcohol coping motives were positively associated with drunkorexia. Notably, drunkorexia was associated with alcohol-related outcomes, but not bulimia. While common risk factors are shared with eating pathology, drunkorexia appears to be a unique construct apart from bulimia behaviors. Results indicate drunkorexia behaviors may extend past normative drinking and place individuals at increased risk of alcohol-related problems. The current study contributes to greater understanding of functional models and maladaptive outcomes related to drunkorexia behaviors.