A Longitudinal Examination of the Interpersonal Model of Binge Eating in Australian Adolescents

Abstract

BackgroundThe interpersonal model of binge eating proposes that interpersonal problems lead to depression, which in turn results in bulimic behaviour. Few studies, however, have examined the model empirically.ObjectiveTo test the original interpersonal model of binge eating longitudinally and a revised version of the model in which depression mediates the relationship between bulimic behaviour and interpersonal problems.Method1453 (702 females) participants from the Australian Temperament Project (ATP) were assessed across five time points (T1-T5). Interpersonal problems were drawn from parent and self-reported questionnaires at T1 and T5. Data on depression was taken from self-reports at T2..