Investigation of the role of difficulty in emotion regulation in the relationship between attachment styles and binge eating disorder

Abstract

Attachment and emotion regulation affect various aspects of an individual's life throughout the lifespan and into adulthood, and are known to be associated with various psychopathologies. Based on a review of the literature, attachment styles and the management of negative emotions have a significant role in the development and maintenance of Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Previous studies have found that insecure attachment styles increase the risk of developing BED, but the role of emotion regulation difficulties has not been assessed. The aim of the current study is to examine the role of emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between insecure attachment styles and symptoms of BED. The sample of the current study consisted of 364 participants (238 females, 126 males) aged 18-65 years (M = 35.27, SD = 10.00) residing in different provinces of Turkey. Sociodemographic information form, Binge Eating Disorder Scale (BEDS), Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-16), and Inventory of Experiences in Close Relationships-2 were administered to the participants. The results of the present study showed that difficulties in emotion regulation played a mediating role in the relationship between symptoms of BED and avoidant and anxious attachment styles. The results of the current study highlight the importance of clinicians assessing attachment styles and emotion regulation difficulties, examining the interaction of these variables together, and providing interventions accordingly when faced with symptoms of BED.