(567) Hypersexuality and Binge Eating in a Non-Clinical Population: Psychopathological Factors Evaluated According to a Gender Perspective

Introduction Hypersexuality and binge eating are impulse-related behaviors that may serve as maladaptive coping strategies following traumatic experiences. Literature suggests both behaviors are associated with emotional dysregulation, boredom, and depressive symptoms, yet their expression appears to differ across genders. Binge eating and hypersexual behaviours are often associated with trauma-related symptoms, disturbances in self-organization (DSO), and difficulties in emotion regulation. Although eating and sexual behaviours share recognised neurofunctional similarities, it remains uncertain whether they diverge in their expression after trauma and whether gender plays a moderating role. Previous studies suggest that women are more likely to adopt internalising coping strategies, such as disordered eating and depression, while men tend to externalise distress through impulsivity and sexual acting-out. However, little research has examined these behaviours simultaneously within a gender-sensitive framework, particularly in non-clinical populations. Objective This study aimed to investigate the associations between post-traumatic symptomatology (PTSD and DSO), depression, boredom, and maladaptive behaviours, specifically binge eating and hypersexuality. A further objective was to explore the moderating role of gender in these associations. Methods A total of 1,240 adults (71% women; mean age = 29.6 years, SD = 10.9) participated in an online survey. Instruments included the International Trauma Questionnaire (PTSD and DSO), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (depression), the Multidimensional State Boredom Scale–SF, the Binge Eating Scale, and the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI). Statistical analyses comprised Welch’s t-tests, Pearson’s correlations, Mediation Models, and ANCOVAs controlling for PTSD, DSO, depression, and boredom. Results Men reported higher hypersexuality (M = 36.70 ± 14.75) than women (M = 31.74 ± 12.07; p < .001, d = –0.58), whereas women scored higher on binge eating (M = 10.97 ± 7.91 vs. 7.69 ± 5.69; p < .001, d = 0.39), PTSD, DSO, and depression. Mediation analyses revealed that DSO directly predicted both hypersexuality (β = 0.253, p < .001) and binge eating (β = 0.134, p = .004), while PTSD showed only indirect effects. Hypersexuality was mediated by depression (β = 0.019, p = .021) and boredom (β = 0.011, p = .030), whereas binge eating was mediated almost exclusively by depression (β = 0.057, p < .001). ANCOVAs confirmed that gender remained a significant predictor even after controlling for covariates (HBI: F(1,1017) = 66.93, p < .001; BES: F(1,1017) = 30.37, p < .001). Conclusions These findings highlight distinct trauma-related pathways to maladaptive behaviours, moderated by gender. DSO emerges as a key mechanism linking trauma to maladaptive behaviours, while gender shapes the expression of binge eating and hypersexuality. Although replication in clinical and longitudinal samples is needed, these results underscore the importance of trauma-informed and gender-sensitive approaches in research and clinical practice. Disclosure No