Traumatic Events Predict Eating Disorders Among Palestinians: The Moderating Role of Demographic Variables

TL;DR

This study shows that traumatic events are linked to eating disorders in Palestinians, with demographic factors like gender and age influencing this relationship.

Contribution

The study introduces the moderating role of sociodemographic variables in the relationship between trauma and eating disorders in a Palestinian population.

Findings

Traumatic events are strongly correlated with eating disorder symptoms like restraint eating and shape concern.

Sociodemographic factors such as gender, age, and education significantly moderate the impact of trauma on eating disorders.

Hierarchical regression analysis confirms that both trauma and sociodemographic variables predict eating disorders.

Abstract

The current study aimed to examine the relationship between traumatic events and eating disorders (EDs), as well as the moderating effect of selected sociodemographic factors (educational level, gender, region, and age) within the Palestinian context.

Participants of the current study were 580 adults, including 320 males and 260 females, who were recruited online using convenience sampling techniques.

Results of the correlational analysis revealed that traumatic events positively correlated with restraint eating (r = 0.41, p < 0.01), eating concern (r = 0.42, p < 0.01), weight concern (r = 0.43, p < 0.01), shape concern (r = 0.46, p < 0.01), and EDs total (r = 0.40, p < 0.01). Results of hierarchical regression revealed that EDs were predicted by both sociodemographic variables and traumatic events (β = 0.44; p < 0.01).

The findings open the door for further research to better understand how the variables in this study correlate with one another. This would allow for the development and implementation of effective clinical interventions aimed at reducing EDs by promoting positive coping strategies for dealing with traumatic events, with support from mental health professionals.

Key Findings
: • Traumatic events positively correlate with various ED symptoms. • Sociodemographic factors (gender, age, region, education) moderate these effects. • Hierarchical regression shows that both trauma and sociodemographic variables predict EDs.
Conclusion/Implications
: Understanding trauma's role in EDs among Palestinians could lead to better‐targeted interventions based on sociodemographic factors.

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