A Study on Eating Behavior, Depression, Anger, Anger Expression and BAS/BIS in Adolescent Women

Cheon, Suk Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE: The descriptive correlational study was designed to examine the relationship of eating behavior to depression, trait anger, anger expression, Behavior Activation System(BAS) and Behavior Inhibition System(BIS) in adolescent women. METHOD: 437 women aged 15 to 18 years were recruited from two high schools located in Seoul, Korea. The instruments used were SCL's depression scale, Spielberger's state trait anger expression inventory- Korean version for trait anger and anger expression, the Korean-BAS/BIS scale for behavior activation system and behavior inhibition system, and Eating Attitude Test(EAT-26) for eating behavior.
RESULTS
The score of EAT significantly correlated with depression, trait anger, anger expression, BAS and BIS. The EAT score also had a significant relationship with anger-in and anger-out. Depression only correlated with the dieting among factors of EAT. Trait anger, anger-in and anger-out showed a significant correlation with EAT factors such as dieting and oral control. BAS significantly correlated with dieting; whereas, BIS revealed a relationship with bulimia/food preoccupation.
CONCLUSION
Based on this results, various variables need to be included for a nursing intervention program leading to healthy diet behaviors of adolescent women.