Functions of binge eating in response to childhood maltreatment, shame, and self-compassion

This research project aims to develop a motives for binge eating scale. This study is also exploring factors that may increase the risk of binge eating. Specifically, this study examines the relationships between negative childhood experiences (e.g., emotional abuse or invalidation), shame, self­compassion, and motives for binge eating. It is hoped that the results of this research will inform preventative and treatment strategies for individuals experiencing binge eating. The survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Participation in this survey is voluntary, no identifiable information will be collected, and all responses will remain anonymous, except for those participants who choose to provide their contact details at the end of the survey for the purpose of follow-up interviews, in which case information will remain private and only accessible to the student investigator, co-investigator, and principal investigator.

This study requires participants to complete an online survey that will ask about sensitive information, and which might cause distress to participants. The survey will ask questions about any experiences of childhood maltreatment (emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect), parental invalidation, feelings of shame about the self and about one’s body, self-compassion, binge eating symptoms, particular motives for binge eating, beliefs about binge eating, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

There will also be some short-answer questions that relate to participants’ personal experience of binge eating, including beliefs about binge eating triggers, positive and negative effects of binge eating, and regarding whether participants believe that any negative experiences in childhood are connected to their current binge eating.

The survey will also include some demographic questions (sex, age, height and weight, ethnicity, country of residence, highest level of education, and any current or previous mental health conditions).

This survey should take approximately 70 minutes to complete in total and can be paused and resumed at any time. This survey should be completed online at a time and location convenient to you. It’s important that all potential participants are aware that (a) participation in the study is completely voluntary, (b) all data collected will be anonymous, (c) participants are free to discontinue participation at any time without question or explanation, and (d) participants are free to not respond to any questions they do not wish to answer.