MULTI-IMPULSIVITY AMONG WOMEN WITH BULIMIA-NERVOSA

Objective: The results of past research suggest the possible existence of a distinct subgroup of bulimic individuals who display multiple be haviors indicative of impulsivity (e.g., stealing, self-injury attempt ed suicide, drug abuse). We further investigated potential relationshi ps between multi-impulsivity and other clinical variables. Method: We compared women with bulimia nervosa (purging type) who displayed ''mul ti-impulsivity'' (n = 40) to those who did not (n = 177) with regard t o symptom history and presentation, eating-disordered attitudes, and s exual experience. Results: The two groups did not differ in mean age, body mass index, scores on scales of eating-disordered attitudes and t raits, incidence of self-induced vomiting, sexual intercourse, or mast urbation, and current frequency of binge eating and self-induced vomit ing. However, relative to the comparison group, women in the multi-imp ulsive group reported earlier onset of binge eating and sexual interco urse, a greater incidence of laxative abuse, and use of a greater numb er of different substances. There were statistical trends (p < .10) to ward the multi-impulsive group displaying earlier onset of self-induce d vomiting, laxative abuse, and masturbation. Discussion: Results are discussed in relation to the results of past research and the implicat ions for treatment of bulimic women. (C) 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, In c.