Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: Eating disorder rates have been on the rise over the past couple of decades, however little research has been conducted to examine their impact on work performance. A variety of tasks important to occupational functioning, such as memory, concentration, and ability to understand, were examined in this paper, and the data was compared to respondents who were free of eating disorders. It was expected that those who have symptoms of an eating disorder will report difficulty with key aspects of occupational functioning. It was also expected that those who have symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa will report a greater difficulty performing at work as compared to those with Anorexia Nervosa. This study utilized data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Studies (N = 20013). Participants with symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa reported difficulty with understanding and learning new assignments, and health problems were related to difficulty with concentration, memory, or thinking over the past 30 days. Those with symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa reported difficulty with concentration, understanding, and learning new assignments, and health problems were reported to be related to difficulty with concentration, memory, or thinking over the past 30 days. In addition, this group of respondents also reported working less carefully and having a lower quality of work over the past 30 days. Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa appear to have a higher impact on concentration and understanding, but these difficulties may have a greater influence in Bulimia Nervosa by impacting the quality of work. Based on the results of this study, there is evidence to support further focused research on specific aspects of this relationship.
Author: Kristie Jean Smith
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1581963755