The mediating effect of emotional dysfunction on the relationship between autism spectrum disorder and anorexia nervosa
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Erin Kang
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
25-4-2025 9:59 AM
Description
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition, and Anorexia Nervosa (AN), an eating disorder characterized by starvation often co-occur (Gaffney, et al., 2020), making treatment less successful and worsening clinical outcomes (Adams, et al., 2024). For this reason, research into the mechanisms that underlie both disorders is necessary to identify targets for intervention. Core symptoms of ASD, such as emotional dysregulation (ED) may compel individuals to engage in disordered eating (Field, et al., 2023). Two symptoms of ED are dysphoria, which represents depressed mood, and emotional reactivity, which describes the way in which one experiences emotions (Lavi et al., 2019). This study examined the role of ED underlying the relationship between ASD and AN. Data was collected from parents of 121 youth (55% males, 57% autistic, ages 6-17, 48% Caucasian American/ White) using the Emotion Dysregulation Index (EDI; Mazefsky et al., 2021) and the Child & Adolescent Symptom Inventory (CASI-5; Gadow & Sprafki, 2013). Pearson correlations were observed between ASD and symptoms of ED, namely dysphoria (r =.377, p< .001) and emotion reactivity (r=.307, p=.001) as well as AN severity and dysphoria (r=.395, p<.001) and emotion reactivity (r=.300, p=.002). Mediation analyses indicated that both emotional dysphoria (Bindirect=0.374, p=0.004) and emotional reactivity (Bindirect=0.228, p=0.029) fully mediated the relationship between autistic diagnostic status and AN symptoms. These findings suggest that emotional dysregulation may be an important target for intervention for individuals experiencing ASD and AN.
The mediating effect of emotional dysfunction on the relationship between autism spectrum disorder and anorexia nervosa
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition, and Anorexia Nervosa (AN), an eating disorder characterized by starvation often co-occur (Gaffney, et al., 2020), making treatment less successful and worsening clinical outcomes (Adams, et al., 2024). For this reason, research into the mechanisms that underlie both disorders is necessary to identify targets for intervention. Core symptoms of ASD, such as emotional dysregulation (ED) may compel individuals to engage in disordered eating (Field, et al., 2023). Two symptoms of ED are dysphoria, which represents depressed mood, and emotional reactivity, which describes the way in which one experiences emotions (Lavi et al., 2019). This study examined the role of ED underlying the relationship between ASD and AN. Data was collected from parents of 121 youth (55% males, 57% autistic, ages 6-17, 48% Caucasian American/ White) using the Emotion Dysregulation Index (EDI; Mazefsky et al., 2021) and the Child & Adolescent Symptom Inventory (CASI-5; Gadow & Sprafki, 2013). Pearson correlations were observed between ASD and symptoms of ED, namely dysphoria (r =.377, p< .001) and emotion reactivity (r=.307, p=.001) as well as AN severity and dysphoria (r=.395, p<.001) and emotion reactivity (r=.300, p=.002). Mediation analyses indicated that both emotional dysphoria (Bindirect=0.374, p=0.004) and emotional reactivity (Bindirect=0.228, p=0.029) fully mediated the relationship between autistic diagnostic status and AN symptoms. These findings suggest that emotional dysregulation may be an important target for intervention for individuals experiencing ASD and AN.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.