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Kong: Impact of Eating Psychopathology, Obsessive-Compulsion and Depression on Self-Harm Behavior in Patients with Eating Disorders
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2009; 39(4): 459-468.

Published online: 31 August 2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2009.39.4.459

Impact of Eating Psychopathology, Obsessive-Compulsion and Depression on Self-Harm Behavior in Patients with Eating Disorders

Seong Sook Kong

Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Kong, Seong Sook. Department of Nursing, Soonchunhyang University, 366-1 Ssangyong-dong, Cheonan 330-090, Korea. Tel: 82-41-570-2488, Fax: 82-41-575-9347, kongsun@sch.ac.kr

Received 17 December 2008       Revised 18 December 2008       Accepted 8 July 2009

Copyright © 2009 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to investigate psychological factors such as eating psychopathology, depression, and obsessive-compulsion that might influence self-harm behavior in patients with eating disorders.

Methods

Patients with eating disorders (n=135) who visited "M" clinic for eating disorders participated in the study. Data were collected from March to August 2007 using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Beck Depression Inventory, Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory, and Self-Harm Inventory (SHI).

Results

The participants scored high on self-harm as well as on depression and obsessive-compulsion. On the SHI, a high frequency of self harm behavior such as 'torturing self with self-defeating thoughts', 'abused alcohol', 'hit self', and 'suicide attempt' were found for the participants. There were significant correlations between most eating psychopathology variables, depression, obsessive-compulsion, and self-harm behavior. 'Interoceptive awareness' (eating psychopathology), depression, and 'checking' (obsessive-compulsion) were significant predictors of self-harm behavior.

Conclusion

Future interventions for patients with eating disorders should focus on assessing the possibility of self-harm and suicidal attempts, especially in those patients with high levels of eating psychopathology, depression, or obsessive-compulsion. Early intervention for depression and obsessive-compulsion could contribute to preventing self-harm and suicide in patients with eating disorders.

Keywords: Eating disorders, Depression, Obsessive-compulsive, Self-harm

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Participants (N=135)
jkan-39-459-i001

BMI=body mass index; EDNOS=eating disorders not otherwise specified.

Table 2
Major Variables of Participants according to Self-Harm Behavior (N=135)
jkan-39-459-i002

EDI=Eating Disorders Inventory; BDI=Beck Depression Inventory; MOCI=Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory.

Table 3
Correlations among Self-Harm Behavior, Eating Psychopathology, Depression and Obsessive-Compulsion
jkan-39-459-i003
Table 4
Stepwise Multiple Regression of Eating Psychopathology, Depression and Obsessive-Compulsion for Self-Harm Behavior
jkan-39-459-i004

EDI=Eating Disorders Inventory.

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