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

Objectives

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.

Methods

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

Findings

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).

Conclusion

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.