Dissociative experiences and eating disorders in a female college sample

Abstract

The present study evaluates the relationship between abuse experiences, dissociation and eating disorders (ED) in an Italian female college sample. In particular, the study aims at comparing the dissociative effects of abuse experiences in ED and normal subjects. Dissociative experiences were assessed by Dissociation Questionnaire (DIS-Q), which appeared to be an internally consistent and valid instrument. The presence of ED in 491 female college students was assessed by a two-stage epidemiological procedure. The factor structure of the DIS-Q in our sample allowed us to identify specific features that could differentiate ED subjects from normals. Experiences of losing control appeared to characterize ED subjects and they were more serious in ED individuals who reported sexual or physical abuse. Normal subjects who reported a serious trauma had more frequently amnesia, identity alterations, derealization and depersonalization experiences when compared to nonabused subjects.