The associations between autistic traits and disordered eating/drive for muscularity are independent of anxiety and depression in females but not males

Galvin, John and Evans, Elizabeth H. and Talbot, Catherine V. and Wilson, Claire and Richards, Gareth (2022) The associations between autistic traits and disordered eating/drive for muscularity are independent of anxiety and depression in females but not males. PLOS ONE, 17 (10). e0276249. ISSN 1932-6203

Preview

Text journal.pone.0276249.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB)

Abstract

Previous research has shown a positive correlation between autistic traits and eating disorder symptoms, and this relationship appears to be independent of co-occurring mental health status. The current study followed a pre-registered analysis plan with the aim to investigate a previously unconsidered factor in the relationship between autistic traits and disorders of eating and body image: the drive for muscularity. Participants (N = 1068) completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS). Positive correlations between AQ and EAT-26 and AQ and DMS were observed. In females, AQ remained significantly correlated with EAT-26 and DMS when controlling for co-occurring anxiety and depression symptoms, but this was not the case in males. These findings demonstrate the moderating role of sex, and the need to consider autistic traits in individuals diagnosed with, or at a heightened risk for, disorders of eating and body image.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1371/journal.pone.0276249
Dates:	Date Event 1 October 2022 Accepted 17 October 2022 Published Online
Subjects:	CAH04 - psychology > CAH04-01 - psychology > CAH04-01-01 - psychology (non-specific)
Divisions:	Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Psychology
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	16 Jan 2023 15:56
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2024 13:02
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/13889

Actions (login required)

View Item