Loss of control eating in adolescents: Associations with adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies

• Youth with and without loss of control eating (LOC) differ in emotion regulation.
• Adolescents with LOC use more maladaptive emotion regulation strategies.
• Associations between LOC and emotion regulation appear to be gender-specific.
• Girls but not boys who report LOC use less adaptive emotion regulation strategies.

ObjectiveTo examine differences in the use of emotion regulation strategies in adolescents with and without loss of control over eating (LOC).MethodA community-based sample of 524 adolescents from 12 to 18 years old (70.6% girls; Mage = 15.08; SD = 1.59) reported on LOC and the use of several maladaptive and adaptive emotion regulation strategies.ResultsAdolescents who experience LOC (28%) report more use of maladaptive strategies. With regard to adaptive strategies a significant group X gender interaction effect was found with girls who report LOC using less adaptive strategies. More specifically, based on the FEEL-KJ less problem-oriented action, distraction, humor enhancement, acceptance and cognitive problem solving were observed in girls who report LOC compared to those who do not report LOC. Boys with LOC report more use of adaptive strategies compared to those who do not report LOC.DiscussionLOC in adolescents is associated with increased use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies as well as a decreased use of adaptive strategies although the latter is only specific for girls. These results may inform prevention and treatment of emotion regulation problems in adolescents with LOC.