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Relationship between spiritual well-being and binge eating in college females

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of spiritual well-being in college female non-binge, objective binge and binge-trait eaters. Therefore, this study aimed to measure spiritual well-being in non-binge, objective binge and partial/full-syndrome binge eating disorder college females. Survey research was conducted using a randomized sample of 809 female students. The sample was categorized into three binge eating categories: nonbinge, objective binge, and binge eating trait. Chi-Squares and Analysis of Variance determined binge eating group differences on demographics, global spiritual well-being, religious well-being, and existential well-being. Significant differences were found among groups for global spiritual well-being (p≤0.000), religious well-being (p<0.000), and existential well-being (p≤0.000). Higher levels of binge eating severity were associated with lower global spiritual and existential well-being scores. On measures of religious well-being, significant differences existed between the non-binge and the binge eating trait groups. The results suggest that spiritual well-being and especially existential well-being may be indirectly associated with the severity of binge eating.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Internship Department of Public Health College of Health, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road South Jacksonville, FL, 32224-2673, USA

    J. A. Watkins, Catherine Christie PhD, RD (Director) & P. Chally

Authors
  1. J. A. Watkins
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  2. Catherine Christie PhD, RD
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  3. P. Chally
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Correspondence to Catherine Christie PhD, RD.

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Watkins, J.A., Christie, C. & Chally, P. Relationship between spiritual well-being and binge eating in college females. Eat Weight Disord 11, 51–56 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327744

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