Affective lability and impulsivity in a clinical sample of women with bulimia nervosa: The role of affect in severely dysregulated behavior

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to examine the role of affective lability in maladaptive behaviors in a sample of women who meet DSM criteria for current bulimia nervosa (BN). Method: Participants were administered a semistructured diagnostic interview (SCID-P) and only those who currently met criteria for BN (N = 134) were included in the analyses. All other data were collected through the use of self-report questionnaires. Results: Affective lability significantly predicted the Impulsive Behavior Scale score (sr = 0.21, t = 2.64, p < .009, f² = 0.06) and excessive reassurance seeking (sr = 0.21, t = 2.74, p < .007, f² = 0.06), even when controlling for age, depressive symptoms, state and trait anxiety, and general impulsivity. Discussion: The degree to which individuals with BN experience labile emotions is associated with several indicators of dysregulated behavior such that higher levels of affective lability predict a more severely dysregulated behavioral profile.