Positive cognitive coping strategies and binge eating in college women

The current study explored whether specific cognitive coping strategies moderated the relation between global eating disorder symptomatology and binge eating frequency. Global eating disorder symptomatology and cognitive coping strategies (i.e., self-blame, acceptance, rumination, positive refocusing, refocus on planning, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective, catastrophizing, and other-blame) were evaluated in a sample of women who reported engaging in binge eating in the absence of compensatory behaviors (N = 419). Moderation analyses indicated that most positive cognitive coping strategies were associated with reduced binge eating frequency; however, there was no such buffering effect among individuals who reported engaging in acceptance, or in negative coping strategies. These results suggest that focusing on specific positive cognitive coping skills might be an effective approach to decreasing binge eating frequency, although additional experimental research is needed.

► Positive coping buffered the link between eating disorder symptoms and bingeing.
► Maladaptive coping strategies did not exacerbate this association.
► Individuals who use more positive cognitive coping strategies binge less.
► Treatments should focus on developing positive cognitive–emotional coping skills.