Objective

Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) individuals generally experience eating disorders at higher rates than heterosexual individuals. While there is limited research examining why LGB individuals experience higher levels of eating pathology, emotion regulation (ER) deficits have been associated with higher rates of other forms of psychopathology in this population. The present study examined the impact of specific ER deficits on the relationship between LGB status and eating pathology. We hypothesized that 1) LGB individuals would report higher levels of ER deficits, and 2) ER deficits would mediate the relationship between LGB status and eating pathology.

Method

Participants were 195 LGB and 193 heterosexual adults recruited via mTurk who completed self-report measures of eating pathology and ER deficits.

Results

One-way ANCOVA analyses revealed that LGB individuals reported higher levels of ER deficits compared to heterosexuals for all DERS subscales except for DERS-Awareness. Nearly all DERS subscales (DERS-Nonacceptance, DERS-Goals, DERS-Strategies, DERS-Impulse) significantly mediated the relationship between LGB status and eating pathology.

Discussion

Consistent with our hypotheses, LGB individuals reported higher levels of ER deficits compared to heterosexuals and specific ER deficits partially accounted for the relationship between LGB status and eating pathology. Future research should utilize longitudinal designs to examine whether the ER deficits identified in the present study prospectively predict eating pathology. Considering the immense mental health burden placed on the LGB community, it is essential that research continue to identify the unique needs of LGB individuals to more effectively treat and prevent psychopathology, including eating disorders, in this population.

中文翻译：

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情绪调节作为女同性恋，男同性恋和双性恋者饮食失调病理的潜在机制的检查

客观的

女同性恋，男同性恋和双性恋（LGB）个体通常比异性恋个体经历进食障碍的发生率更高。尽管研究有限，研究了为什么LGB个体会经历较高水平的饮食病理，但情绪调节（ER）缺陷与该人群中其他形式的精神病理学发病率较高相关。本研究检查了特定内质网赤字对LGB状态与饮食病理之间关系的影响。我们假设1）LGB个体报告较高的ER缺陷水平，2）ER缺陷将介导LGB状态与饮食病理之间的关系。

方法

参与者是通过mTurk招募的195名LGB和193名异性恋成年人，他们完成了饮食病理和ER缺陷的自我报告测量。

结果

单向ANCOVA分析显示，除DERS意识外，所有DERS分量表的LGB个体报告的ER缺陷水平均高于异性恋者。几乎所有DERS分量表（DERS-不接受，DERS-目标，DERS-策略，DERS-冲动）都显着介导了LGB状态与饮食病理之间的关系。

讨论

与我们的假设一致，与异性恋者相比，LGB患者报告的ER缺陷水平更高，而特定的ER缺陷部分说明了LGB状况与饮食病理之间的关系。未来的研究应利用纵向设计来检查本研究中确定的内质网缺乏是否可以预测饮食病理。考虑到LGB社区承受着巨大的心理健康负担，至关重要的是，研究必须继续确定LGB个体的独特需求，以更有效地治疗和预防该人群中的精神病学，包括饮食失调。