The proposed studies are designed to rigorously test a theoretical model that examines the specific relation between negative affect and bulimic pathology?. Though there are numerous putative risk factors for bulimic symptoms, the role of negative affect has received relative little attention. The Affect Regulation Expectancy Model posits that negative affect increases the risk for numerous pathologic outcomes. The proposed series of studies will examine in detail one possible pathway of this model, whether negative affect acts as a risk factor for eating pathology. However, it is hypothesized that each pathway is moderated by affect regulation expectancies; in the case of eating pathology, the belief that eating improves affect moderates the relation between negative affect and bulimic pathology.
Aim 1 is to test whether eating expectancy potentiates the prospective rl4eation between negative affect and growth in bulimic pathology in an extant data set.
Aim 2 is to test whether confluence of negative affect and affect regulation expectancies predict maintenance versus remission of bulimic symptoms over time in an ongoing study.
Aim 3 is to test whether a randomized experiment manipulating negative affect has an effect on bulimic pathology and whether eating expectancies potentiate this effect. Through the methodological triangulation garnered via this series of studies, the model will be rigorously tested. If supported, the model will have important implications for the prevention and treatment of bulimic pathology.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31MH064254-02
Application #
6627718
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BBBP-5 (01))
Program Officer
Altman, Fred
Project Start
2002-06-01
Project End
Budget Start
2003-06-01
Budget End
2004-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$28,087
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Austin
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
170230239
City
Austin
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78712
Bohon, Cara; Stice, Eric; Burton, Emily (2009) Maintenance factors for persistence of bulimic pathology: a prospective natural history study. Int J Eat Disord 42:173-8
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Stice, Eric; Presnell, Katherine; Gau, Jeff et al. (2007) Testing mediators of intervention effects in randomized controlled trials: An evaluation of two eating disorder prevention programs. J Consult Clin Psychol 75:20-32
Burton, Emily; Stice, Eric; Bearman, Sarah Kate et al. (2007) Experimental test of the affect-regulation theory of bulimic symptoms and substance use: a randomized trial. Int J Eat Disord 40:27-36
Burton, Emily; Stice, Eric (2006) Evaluation of a healthy-weight treatment program for bulimia nervosa: a preliminary randomized trial. Behav Res Ther 44:1727-38
Stice, Eric; Shaw, Heather; Burton, Emily et al. (2006) Dissonance and healthy weight eating disorder prevention programs: a randomized efficacy trial. J Consult Clin Psychol 74:263-75
Burton, Emily; Stice, Eric; Seeley, John R (2004) A prospective test of the stress-buffering model of depression in adolescent girls: no support once again. J Consult Clin Psychol 72:689-97
Stice, Eric; Burton, Emily M; Shaw, Heather (2004) Prospective relations between bulimic pathology, depression, and substance abuse: unpacking comorbidity in adolescent girls. J Consult Clin Psychol 72:62-71