Self‐disgust and disgust sensitivity are increased in anorexia nervosa inpatients, but only self‐disgust mediates between comorbid and core psychopathology. (15th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kot, Emilia; Grzegorzewski, Piotr; Kostecka, Barbara; Kucharska, Katarzyna
• Is Part Of: European eating disorders review. Volume 29:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 879
• Page End: 892
• Publication Date: 2021-10-15
• Subjects: anorexia nervosa -- disgust -- disgust sensitivity -- eating disorders -- self‐disgust; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/erv.2862
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1072-4133

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The possible role of abnormal disgust processing in the development and course of anorexia nervosa (AN) has been emphasized in theoretical models and research. However, disgust toward external stimuli and self‐disgust have not yet been investigated together in a clinical sample of AN patients. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to measure these constructs and examine their role in shaping eating pathology in AN patients and healthy controls (HCs), considering comorbid depressive and anxiety psychopathology. The study also aimed at testing the possible mediational roles of both disgust types in the associations between comorbid psychopathology and eating disorders (EDs) characteristics. Method: Altogether, 63 inpatients with AN and 57 HCs partook in the study. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Inventory‐3, State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory‐II, Disgust Scale–Revised and Self‐Disgust Scale. Results: AN patients manifested higher self‐disgust and disgust sensitivity than HCs. In addition, self‐disgust predicted the severity of EDs characteristics and mediated the links of depressive symptoms and trait anxiety with EDs characteristics in both groups. Discussion: Our findings imply the putative role of self‐disgust in the development of EDs psychopathology in HCs and in its maintenance in AN patients. Highlights: Self‐disgust and disgust sensitivity were higher in anorexia nervosa patients than in healthy controls. Self‐disgust mediated between comorbid and eating disorders (EDs) psychopathology in both groups. Self‐disgust may be implicated in the development and maintenance of EDs psychopathology.