Impulsivity-related traits in eating disorder patients

Whiteside and Lynam (2001) have proposed a new model for understanding personality pathways to impulsive behavior. In this model four personality dimensions (UPPS) are related differentially to impulsive behaviors: Urgency, Sensation Seeking, (Lack of) Premeditation, and (Lack of) Perseverance. Furthermore, the UPPS model suggests very specific ways in which the dimensions might be related to psychopathology and other problematic behaviors. In the present study, we have assessed 146 eating-disordered patients with respect to the four impulsivity-related personality traits in the purpose of testing the specific hypotheses offered by the UPPS model. The diagnostic subtypes of eating-disordered patients did differ on the four impulsivity-related traits, and these traits were differentially related to various behaviors and forms of psychopathology confirming many of Whiteside and Lynam’s (2001) predictions. Bulimia nervosa patients showed consistently more Urgency and Sensation Seeking and less Premeditation and Perseverance than restrictive anorexia nervosa patients, with the bingeing-purging anorexics being situated in between. Both in assessment and treatment of eating-disordered patients specific attention should be paid to impulsivity-related personality traits.