Binge eating tendencies and anger coping: investigating the confound of trait neuroticism in a non-clinical sample.

OBJECTIVE

Binge eating has been found to be associated with anger suppression. However, the anger suppression measure used in previous research is highly saturated with trait neuroticism. Furthermore, the dichotomised view of anger coping as either 'in' or 'out' has been questioned. The present study investigated the influence of trait neuroticism on the relationship between binge eating and anger suppression. In addition, a broader measure of anger coping was utilised.

METHOD: One hundred forty non-clinical women completed measures of binge eating, anger coping and trait neuroticism.

RESULTS

Anger suppression, rumination and a lack of assertion (i.e. anger inexpressiveness) were significantly correlated with binge eating tendencies. However, hierarchical regression analyses showed that the anger inexpressiveness measures were not predictive of binge eating tendencies over and above trait neuroticism. Furthermore, the association between anger inexpressiveness and binge eating tendencies was differentially affected by the separate facets of neuroticism.

DISCUSSION: Results suggest that the relationship between anger inexpressiveness and binge eating tendencies is partially accounted for by the impulsiveness and depressive affect facets of neuroticism. Previous studies are questioned in light of these findings and areas for further research are considered.