Disordered Eating and Mental Health: The Role of Social Connection in College students

Abstract Objective Previous work has showed five distinct latent profiles of the Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory (EPSI) among college students, as well as their relationship with aspects of anxiety. Building on this work, the current study examines how the identified disordered eating (DE) profiles are connected with depression, loneliness, and alcohol use which have been increasing issues among college students. Methods Students (n = 1,362) from a midwestern university participated in an annual online health survey. They answered validated questionnaires for disordered eating, depression, loneliness, and alcohol use (peak drinking). Analyses of the EPSI scale profiles were run to determine any differences on depression or loneliness. Results All profiles had moderate to moderately severe levels of depression. Profile 1 (high levels of excessive exercise and muscle building) was also most likely to have participants that were men and had the lowest levels of depression and loneliness. Profile 2 (Lowest levels of DE, largest profile, high proportion of women) and profile 3 (high levels of body dissatisfaction, moderate binge eating and restricting, 20% of sample) had the highest levels of depression and loneliness. CONCLUSIONS This study’s findings illustrate that depression and loneliness vary by DE symptom profile. Colleges need to be aware that students face intersectional psychological issues and may require unique and multi-faceted interventions.