This study examined rates, correlates and an interpersonal model of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among a sample of 508 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Questionnaires assessing NSSI, related health-risk behaviors, and relationships with parents were administered two times over an 11-month period. Overall, 7.5% reported engaging in NSSI within…

Under heightened emotional states, individuals are more inclined to engage in ill-considered or rash actions than at other times. The authors present evidence for the existence of 2 related traits called positive and negative urgency. The traits refer to individual differences in the disposition to engage in rash action when experiencing extreme…

Background: Although juveniles within the justice system have high psychiatric morbidity, few comprehensive investigations have shown posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in female delinquents. Here, we aim to describe the nature and extent of PTSD and trauma exposure and to clarify the relationships among comorbidity and psychosocial factors in…

Binge eating is a negative indicator of post-surgical weight loss and health outcome in bariatric surgery patients (Hsu, Bentancourt, Sullivan, 1996). Cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness-based practices have been shown to successfully treat binge eating (Agras, Telch, Arnow, Eldredge, & Marnell, 1997; Kristeller & Hallett, 1999). This…

Opportunities for women in sport have expanded, whereas the media-driven ideal female continues to have a slender body. To attain the body that society has promoted, college-age females are vulnerable to psychological disordered eating risk. This study examines relationships among physical activity, body composition, and psychological eating…

In this article, the author recalls and shares the first half of her college journey. Her memories do not play back to her in bursts of sounds or colors; friends or lovers; feelings, touches, tastes, or ideas. They play, rather, as silent images of herself that flicker disjointedly across her mind, the lens of her memory having recorded her…

Consumer health publishers in mid-2007 recall those elliptical machine addicts--they have fallen into a safe holding pattern that should maintain their weight in the market. In other words, mind-body books and recovery memoirs are back, as are a bevy of diet and fitness manuals. People buy into the health and medicine genre--"Library Journal's"…

Background: Individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a chromosome 15 genetic disorder, often have a significant preoccupation with food and problem behaviour related to food seeking is often prevalent. Methods: In the present study, we compared how individuals with PWS responded on a survey regarding the acceptability of food in various…

Discusses the process of conducting a functional assessment of a problem behavior. Reviews current research on functional assessment methods, such as direct observation and indirect assessment, and covers applications of functional assessment. Applies functional assessment to binge eating and the antecedents and consequences of binge eating…

Describes the Female Athlete Triad, an interrelated combination of disorders that can occur in girls and women who are physically active. Presents nine resources for the Female Athlete Triad. Concludes that as more young females become physically active, school personnel need to be aware of the importance of promoting healthy eating and training…

Examined the disordered eating behaviors and beliefs of female middle school athletes, investigating the relationship between number and type of sports played and disordered eating. Student surveys indicated that girls participated in a mean of 4.6 sports and reported an average of 2.1 weight dissatisfied beliefs and restrictive or disordered…

Presents an eating disorders continuum. Describes groups on the continuum by highlighting behavioral, cognitive-attitudinal, and self-esteem differences. Discusses relationship between continuum and developmental course of eating disorders. Presents prevention, early intervention, and treatment programs for various continuum groups. Offers…

Correlates of bulimic symptomatology are examined among African-American college women (N=123). Variables include level of cultural identification, internalization of societal values concerning attractiveness, body mass, body dissatisfaction, depression, and self-esteem. Findings are discussed in context of sociocultural approaches to…

Specific psychological, behavioral, and cognitive characteristics known to be related to clinical eating disorders were examined in two studies undertaken to explore whether these characteristics vary by eating-disorder-continuum placement. Results of these two studies support the construct validity of the eating-disorder continuum. Implications…

Considers evidence for an association between body-weight/shape concerns and smoking in females. Gathers evidence from studies of a female eating-disordered population, teenage females, and middle-aged women in the general population. Teenage female data analysis reveals links between smoking and body-weight/shape concerns. Proposes that…