Understanding the Stress and Emotional Triggers of Disordered Eating Behaviors in College Students

Longitudinal study measuring the relationship between increased stress, emotions and change in disordered eating.Research has shown a relationship between stress and emotion in those with, or who are at-risk for, eating disorders. However, more research needs to be done on how levels of stress and emotion affect eating behaviors that could potentially lead to an eating disorder. This study is an effort to understand how stress and emotion affect disordered eating behavior. The study of 24 college students had participants report their levels of anxiety, stress, emotion, and eating behaviors over a five-week period. Results from this study showed that anxiety and negative affect were correlated with disordered eating behavior, but stress relationships were not significant. To further research, more understanding of the emotions associated with disordered eating is needed. Ultimately, this information could be used in a predictive, and defensive manner to prevent the onset of disordered eating behavior into a full-blown eating disorder.Vanderbilt UniversityPsychologyCollege of Arts and ScienceThesis completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Honors Program in Psychological Sciences, under the direction of Dr. Leslie D. Kirb