Investigation of the Relative Contributions of Distress Tolerance, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Experiential Avoidance to Predisposing of Disordered Eating

Abstract

AbstractBackground Disordered eating refers to a range of unhealthy eating behaviors and related clinical symptoms that can impair daily functioning and lead to physical and psychological issues. This highlights the need to explore the complex pathology of this phenomenon. Emotional functioning difficulties are often linked to disordered eating behaviors. This study investigated the predictive ability of three transdiagnostic emotion regulation constructs (distress tolerance, anxiety sensitivity, and experiential avoidance) in relation to disordered eating in a non-clinical population. Methods A total of 253 undergraduate students from Tehran universities were selected using a convenience sampling method and completed the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-3), and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II). The research data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results The findings revealed significant relationships between disordered eating and distress tolerance, anxiety sensitivity, and experiential avoidance. The regression analysis indicated that these variables collectively accounted for 53% of the variance in disordered eating, with distress tolerance having the most significant explanatory role. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that transdiagnostic constructs such as distress tolerance, anxiety sensitivity, and experiential avoidance can significantly predict disordered eating. This knowledge may be valuable in the development of preventive and therapeutic transdiagnostic protocols for individuals displaying disordered eating symptoms and behaviors or those at risk of developing clinical eating disorders.