A new approach to clustering eating disorder patients: Assessing external validity and comparisons with DSM-IV diagnoses

IntroductionThis study assessed the external validity of four statistically distinct clusters identified in a sample of eating disorder patients, derived from eating disorder features, attachment and coping styles. It also compared clusters with DSM-IV diagnoses.MethodsEating disorder psychopathology, attachment, coping, mood, health status and general functioning were measured in 165 patients.ResultsThe ‘mild eating disorder group’ reported significantly lower levels of functional impairment compared with the ‘insecure generalised eating disorder’ group, and significantly higher levels of social functioning, vitality and general mental health compared with the ‘passive/avoidant restrictors’ and ‘insecure generalised eating disorder’ groups. These latter groups reported significantly higher levels of depression compared with the ‘bulimic’ and ‘mild eating disorder’ groups. Compared with DSM-IV diagnoses, clusters were more clearly differentiated on a wide range of features, including mood and health status as well as eating disorder features, attachment and coping.ConclusionsFindings provide preliminary support for the external validity of the clusters. Future research might extend this work by investigating the clusters in relation to recovery, relapse and treatment response.