Are the obsessive-compulsive traits a moderator for the relationship between autism and anorexia? A cross-sectional study among university students

• Published in: Journal of American college health Vol. 70; no. 7; pp. 1975 - 1980
• Main Authors: Acikel, S. Burak, Cikili, Yahya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 03.10.2022; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Anorexia; Anxiety Disorders; Attitudes; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorders; autistic traits; College Students; Comorbidity; Correlation; Cross-sectional studies; Eating behavior; eating disorder; Eating Disorders; Foreign Countries; Gender Differences; nonclinical; obsessive; Obsessive compulsive disorder; University students; Turkey; eating disorder; Anorexia; autistic traits; obsessive; nonclinical
• ISSN: 0744-8481; 1940-3208
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1841769

Objective It is known that there is a high comorbidity between eating disorders and autistic traits among both the clinical and non-clinical populations. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the relationship between ASD and AN, and the effects of obsessive-compulsive traits. Participants: The study has been conducted in a non-clinical sample. A total of 290 university students have been included. Methods: Autism Quotient (AQ), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) have been used. Results: There is a positive relationship between EAT-40, MOCI scores, and AQ total scores. However, after controlling the sex and MOCI scores relation in total AQ and EAT-40 scores, they have become statistically insignificant. In regression, only MOCI scores and AQ Communication subscale scores have been able to predict the EAT-40 scores. Conclusions: It has been found that the relationship between autistic traits and eating attitudes is moderated by obsessive-compulsive traits.