Factors associated with Alcohol Problem in Patients with Eating Disorders / 정신간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the psychological factors such as eating psychopathology, depression, obsessive-compulsion, sleep problem, and stressors that affect the alcohol problems in patients with eating disorders. METHODS: Patients with eating disorders (n=347) who visited "M" clinic for eating disorder were participated in the study. Data were collected from February 2008 to May 2010 using Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Beck Depression Inventory, Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory, and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Korean. RESULTS: Of the participants, 17.3% had an alcohol problem, 9.2% of them were diagnosed with alcohol dependency. Age, history of mental disorder in family, stress for love relationship, difficulties falling asleep, and 'impulse regulation' (one of eating psychopathologies) were significant associated factors of alcohol problem, but depression and obsessive-compulsion were not significant. CONCLUSION: Future interventions for patients with eating disorders should focus on assessing alcohol problems. Assessment should be non-judgmental, especially for those patients with high levels of impulse dysregulation, difficulties falling asleep, and stress in love relationship in order to prevent their early drop-out for the treatment. Alternative treatment for sleep problem and stress management also may be helpful for the patients with alcohol problem and eating disorders.