@article{ref1,
title="Network analysis of posttraumatic stress and eating disorder symptoms in a community  sample of adults exposed to childhood abuse",
journal="Journal of Traumatic Stress",
year="2020",
author="Liebman, Rachel E. and Becker, Kendra R. and Smith, Kathryn E. and Cao, Li and Keshishian, Ani C. and Crosby, Ross D. and Eddy, Kamryn T. and Thomas, Jennifer J.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders (EDs) are individually  debilitating and highly comorbid conditions. Childhood abuse is a prominent risk  factor for PTSD and ED symptoms both individually and as a comorbid syndrome  (PTSD-ED). There may be a functional association between comorbid PTSD-ED symptoms  whereby disordered eating behaviors are used to avoid trauma-related thoughts and  feelings. The current study used a network analytic approach to examine key  associations between PTSD and ED symptom subscales (i.e., PCL-5 and EPSI,  respectively) in a community sample of 120 adults who endorsed at least one  experience of childhood abuse (i.e., physical, sexual, or emotional abuse;  witnessing domestic violence). Participants completed an anonymous online survey  using Amazon's Mechanical Turk Prime. We used three network analysis indices (i.e.,  strength centrality, key players, and bridge symptoms) to identify symptoms that may  maintain the comorbid PTSD-ED network. The results indicated that reexperiencing  symptoms had the highest strength centrality in the PTSD-ED network and bridged the  PTSD and ED clusters. For ED, cognitive restraint was a bridge to all PTSD symptoms. Hyperarousal, negative alterations in cognitions and mood (NACM), and purging were  key players, indicating they are integral to the network structure. If replicated in  prospective studies, these results may indicate that reexperiencing and cognitive  restraint are core drivers of PTSD-ED comorbidity, whereas hyperarousal, NACM, and  purging may be downstream consequences maintaining the comorbid condition. Concurrent treatments that address PTSD and ED symptoms simultaneously may result in  the best outcomes.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0894-9867",
doi="10.1002/jts.22644",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jts.22644"
}