EDIP – The role of eating disorder-specific interoceptive processing in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and eating disorder symptoms in adulthood

Adverse childhood experiences and weight-related teasing are associated with obesity and eating disorders later in life. The underlying causes are largely unknown, but theoretical models suggest that interoception, i.e. the processing of afferent signals from visceral organs, plays an important role in the development of eating disorders and obesity, and is linked to adverse childhood experiences, especially with respect to deficits in emotion processing and the perception of hunger and satiety. It is, therefore, plausible to assume that childhood experiences of interpersonal adversity affect the processing of interoceptive signals and thus contribute to deficits in emotion regulation and disturbances in eating behaviour. To date, the mediating role of interoceptive processing in the relationship between interpersonal adversity and disturbances in eating behaviour and emotion regulation has not been investigated. Furthermore, measures used to investigate interoceptive processing at multiple levels are heterogeneous and usually not eating disorder-specific. The current research project aims to provide a better understanding of the role of interoceptive deficits in the development and maintenance of obesity and eating disorders, particularly as a result of interpersonal adversity. Study 1 is an online study with two main objectives: (1) Development and initial validation of a questionnaire to assess eating disorder-specific interoceptive processing, and (2) Examining the effects of interpersonal adversity on self-reported interoceptive abilities, emotion regulation and eating behaviour. Study 2 is a laboratory study with the aim to investigate interoceptive processes at multiple levels and in two organ systems of relevance for emotion processing and eating behaviour, i.e. the cardiovascular and the gastrointestinal system. Research outcomes will allow for the design of specifically targeted prevention and intervention approaches to increase resilience in vulnerable individuals (e.g., children), which is essential to cope with daily challenges such as peer rejection, weight-related stigmatization, and traumatizing experiences.