Journal of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics

Binge eating addiction among women who suffer from psychological abuse in their relationship: the moderating role of defense mechanisms

3^rd World Congress on Nutrition, Dietetics and Nutraceuticals
February 25-26, 2019 | Prague, Czech Republic

Orly Yona Drori and Shirley Ben Shlomo

Lev Hasharon Mental Health Medical Center, Israel The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work-Bar Ilan University, Israel

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Nutr Diet

DOI: 10.4172/2472-1921-C1-006

Abstract

Objectives: The participants will be able to recognize the predictors of Binge Eating addiction among women who suffer from psychological abuse in their relationships and will recognize the role of woman's defense mechanisms in moderating the association between psychological abuse and Binge Eating addiction.

Methods: A convenience sample of 380 Israeli women in relationships were located via the internet, and after consenting to participate in the study, they completed a series of structured questionnaires (The Yale food addiction scale; the defense style questionnaire; psychological maltreatment of women by their male partners; Level of differentiation of self; socio-demographic questionnaire).

Results: The higher the level of differentiation and mature defense mechanisms, the less addictive a woman is. However, the level of addiction among women who experience psychological abuse with in their intimate relations is higher than women who do not experience psychological abuse in their relationship. Among women who experienced psychological abuse in their relations, the defense mechanisms moderate the association between psychological abuse within intimate relations and the extent of the addiction to binge eating.

Conclusions: The study contributes to the therapy of women with binge eating addictions, as it raises awareness of therapeuticrelated content that could strengthen women and help them to cope with situations in their lives without the need to Binge. One of the significant variables for therapeutic work is the level of differentiation of the self. In addition, identifying the types of defense mechanisms might help to match treatment to the woman's emotional needs. The current study found also that it is important to identify the environmental systems by which the addict is surrounded, such as whether woman is in an abusive relationship. Finally the study leads to the recognition that Binge Eating, which is usually treated with an emphasis on nutritional behaviour change, is an addiction, and as such, it requires a combination of mental, nutritional and behavioural therapy. In view of this approach it is recommended that treating a woman who is addicted to Binge Eating should involve a multi-disciplinary team comprised of physicians, clinical dieticians and clinical psychotherapists.

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