TY - JOUR
T1 - The associations between autistic traits and disordered eating/drive for muscularity are independent of anxiety and depression in females but not males
AU - Galvin, John
AU - Evans, Elizabeth H.
AU - Talbot, Catherine V.
AU - Wilson, Claire
AU - Richards, Gareth
PY - 2022/10/17
Y1 - 2022/10/17
N2 - Previous research has shown a positive correlation between autistic traits and eating disorder symptoms, and this relationship appears to be independent of co-occurring mental health status. The current study followed a pre-registered analysis plan with the aim to investigate a previously unconsidered factor in the relationship between autistic traits and disorders of eating and body image: the drive for muscularity. Participants (N = 1068) completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS). Positive correlations between AQ and EAT-26 and AQ and DMS were observed. In females, AQ remained significantly correlated with EAT-26 and DMS when controlling for co-occurring anxiety and depression symptoms, but this was not the case in males. These findings demonstrate the moderating role of sex, and the need to consider autistic traits in individuals diagnosed with, or at a heightened risk for, disorders of eating and body image.
AB - Previous research has shown a positive correlation between autistic traits and eating disorder symptoms, and this relationship appears to be independent of co-occurring mental health status. The current study followed a pre-registered analysis plan with the aim to investigate a previously unconsidered factor in the relationship between autistic traits and disorders of eating and body image: the drive for muscularity. Participants (N = 1068) completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS). Positive correlations between AQ and EAT-26 and AQ and DMS were observed. In females, AQ remained significantly correlated with EAT-26 and DMS when controlling for co-occurring anxiety and depression symptoms, but this was not the case in males. These findings demonstrate the moderating role of sex, and the need to consider autistic traits in individuals diagnosed with, or at a heightened risk for, disorders of eating and body image.
UR - https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/61b5031d-2bf4-4089-a222-654e70cfcd8d
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0276249
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0276249
M3 - Article
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 17
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
IS - 10
M1 - 0276249
ER -
