Are the obsessive-compulsive traits a moderator for the relationship between autism and anorexia? A cross-sectional study among university students

Açıkel S. B., Cikili Y.

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH, vol.70, no.7, pp.1975-1980, 2022 (SSCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 70 Issue: 7
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1841769
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, IBZ Online, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, SportDiscus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1975-1980
  • Keywords: Anorexia, autistic traits, eating disorder, nonclinical, obsessive, SPECTRUM DISORDER, NERVOSA, INDIVIDUALS, RELATIVES, QUOTIENT, OCD
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

ObjectiveIt is known that there is a high comorbidity between eating disorders and autistic traits among both the clinical and non-clinical populations. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the relationship between ASD and AN, and the effects of obsessive-compulsive traits. Participants: The study has been conducted in a non-clinical sample. A total of 290 university students have been included. Methods: Autism Quotient (AQ), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) have been used. Results: There is a positive relationship between EAT-40, MOCI scores, and AQ total scores. However, after controlling the sex and MOCI scores relation in total AQ and EAT-40 scores, they have become statistically insignificant. In regression, only MOCI scores and AQ Communication subscale scores have been able to predict the EAT-40 scores. Conclusions: It has been found that the relationship between autistic traits and eating attitudes is moderated by obsessive-compulsive traits.