Identifying overcontrol and undercontrol personality types among young people using the five factor model, and the relationship with disordered eating behaviour, anxiety and depression.

BACKGROUND: Overcontrol and undercontrol personality types have been associated with an increase in eating pathology, depression and anxiety. The aim of the research was to explore whether latent overcontrol and undercontrol personality types could be identified using cluster analysis of the facets of the five factor model (FFM). We further aimed to understand how these personality types were associated with eating pathology, depressed mood and anxiety. METHODS: A total of 561 participants (394 women and 167 men), aged 16-30 years in Australia completed a survey designed to assess disordered eating, FFM personality traits, anxiety, depression and stress. A systematic four-step process using hierarchical, k-means, and random forest cluster analyses were used to identify a meaningful 3-cluster solution. RESULTS: The results revealed a cluster solution that represented overcontrol, undercontrol and resilient personality types, and highlighted facets of the FFM that were associated with each type. Both overcontrol and undercontrol personality types were associated with increased clinical symptoms compared to the resilient types. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that FFM facets may potentially be more meaningful than broad domains in identifying personality types, and that both overcontrol and undercontrol personality types are likely associated with increased clinical symptoms.

Personality has previously been found to be strongly related to eating disorders and disordered eating. A person's personality is made up by a series of personality traits. A series of traits grouped together is called a personality type. Three broad personality types have been identified consistently in previous research, being overcontrol (rigid, perfectionistic), undercontrol (impulsive, mood dependent) and resilient (flexible, low pathology). Understanding eating disorders in the context of overcontrol, undercontrol and resilient personality types has been found to be predict disordered eating behaviour and treatment course for people with eating disorders. This study aimed to identify personality types using the well known five factor model of personality among a group of Australian young people. We also aimed to understand the relationships between personality type and eating pathology. It was found that a wider range of personality traits may be more meaningful than broad domains in identifying personality types. It was further found that individuals who were overcontrol or undercontrol were more likely to experience eating pathology and disordered eating compared to resilient types. Overall, this means that that the five factor model of personality may be useful for identifying people at risk for developing an eating disorder and to consider treatment needs.

Dimensional personality pathology and disordered eating in young adults: measuring the DSM-5 alternative model using the PID-5.

Introduction: The Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) is a self-report measure of personality pathology designed to measure pathological personality traits outlined in the DSM-5 alternative model of personality disorders. Within the extensive literature exploring the relationship between personality and disordered eating, there are few that explore the relationship between the PID-5 and disordered eating behaviours in a non-clinical sample of males and females: restrictive eating, binge eating, purging, chewing and spitting, excessive exercising and muscle building. Methods: An online survey assessed disordered eating, PID-5 traits and general psychopathology and was completed by 394 female and 167 male participants aged 16-30. Simultaneous equations path models were systematically generated for each disordered eating behaviour to identify how the PID-5 scales, body dissatisfaction and age predicted behaviour. Results: The results indicated that each of the six disordered behaviours were associated with a unique pattern of maladaptive personality traits. The statistical models differed between males and females indicating possible differences in how dimensional personality pathology and disordered eating relate. Discussion: It was concluded that understanding disordered eating behaviour in the context of personality pathology may assist formulating potentially risky behaviour.

One size does not fit all: Exploring how the five-factor model facets predict disordered eating behaviours among adolescent and young adult males and females.

There is a wealth of research that has highlighted the relationship between personality and eating disorders. It has been suggested that understanding how subclinical disordered eating behaviours are uniquely associated with personality can help to improve the conceptualization of individuals with eating disorders. This study aimed to explore how the facets of the Five-Factor Model (FFM) predicted restrictive eating, binge eating, purging, chewing and spitting, excessive exercising and muscle building among males and females. An online survey assessing disordered eating behaviours, FFM and general psychopathology was completed by 394 females and 167 males aged between 16 and 30 years. Simultaneous equations path models were systematically generated for each disordered eating behaviour to identify how the FFM facets, body dissatisfaction and age predicted behaviour. The results indicated that each of the six disordered behaviours were predicted by a unique pattern of thinking, feeling and behaving. Considerable differences between males and females were found for each path model, suggesting differences between males and females in the personality traits that drive disordered eating behaviours. It was concluded that it is important to take personality into account when treating males and females who engage in disordered eating behaviours.

The relationship between disordered eating behaviour and the five factor model personality dimensions: A systematic review.

The relationship between personality and eating disorders has received significant research attention. This review aimed to synthesize research regarding the Five Factor Model (FFM) and disordered eating behaviors, to gain an improved understanding of the relationship between normal-range personality and subclinical eating disorders. Electronic Databases were used to identify studies published in English that utilized self-report measures of disordered eating and the FFM. A qualitative synthesis of 45 papers was then conducted. High scores on Neuroticism were associated with increased disordered eating behavior. Different disordered eating behaviors were found to have unique relationships with personality dimensions. Facets within domains varied in direction of correlation with disordered eating behaviors, particularly in the Agreeableness, Contentiousness, and Openness domains. The results indicate that, further research is needed before generalizing treatment approaches for eating disorders for females, males, and gender diverse populations.