From Childhood Interpersonal Trauma to Binge Eating in Adults: Unraveling the Role of Personality and Maladaptive Regulation

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Binge eating (BE) is associated with physical and psychological consequences, such as obesity and reduced quality of life. The relationship between binge eating and childhood experiences of interpersonal trauma has been explored, yet few studies focus on the processes that may explain this association. In this regard, some personality traits and maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation may help explain this relationship, as they have been associated, respectively, with BE and childhood interpersonal trauma. The purpose of this study is to explore the complex processes that link childhood interpersonal trauma and BE in a French-Canadian clinical adult population with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). <b>Methods:</b> This cross-sectional study included 148 participants aged 21 to 72, predominantly women of White ethnic background with a university degree, who were seeking treatment for eating or weight-related issues. They completed self-report questionnaires assessing maltreatment and bullying, BE, maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation, and personality. Two multiple mediation models were tested to examine the indirect effects of personality and maladaptive regulation in the relationship between bullying and BE, as well as between maltreatment and BE. <b>Results</b>: The results revealed a significant indirect relationship between maltreatment and binge eating (BE), with personality traits and maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation partially explaining this association. No direct effect was found for bullying, but a significant total indirect effect indicated that personality traits and maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation play a mediating role in the relationship between bullying and BE. Finaly, self-directedness was found as a unique and significant contributor in both mediation models. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study draws attention to the multiple contributing factors in the relationship between interpersonal trauma and BE in adults with obesity. Further research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the role of personality and maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation in this relationship by focusing on individuals' experiences.