CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EATING DISORDER PATIENTS WHO REPORT SEXUAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE

At initial contact in an eating disorders clinic, 712 female eating di sorder patients were asked if they had been physically or sexually abu sed as children. They also completed a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and an Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI). Their eating disorder sympto m frequency and severity was determined. They were asked if they had a lcohol problems, had attempted suicide, or had shoplifting problems. T wenty-nine percent reported sexual abuse. Twenty-five percent reported physical abuse. There was no correlation between reports of abuse and symptom frequency or severity. The abused subjects were more depresse d on the BDI and showed more psychological disturbance on the EDI. Abu sed subjects were much more likely than nonabused subjects to report a lcohol problems, suicide attempts, or shoplifting. (C) 1995 by John Wi ley and Sons, Inc.