Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Degree Granting Department

Psychology

Major Professor

Jonathan A. Rottenberg, Ph.D.

Co-Major Professor

Diana Rancourt, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Brent Small, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Joseph Vandello, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Edelyn Verona, Ph.D.

Keywords

binge eating, craving, food-specific, impulsivity, planning

Abstract

Research has begun exploring the phenomenon of binge planning, wherein individuals who binge eat do so with forethought, rather than impulsively. What specific thought processes and behaviors comprise binge plans remains unexamined. How, or if, the eating disorder presentations of individuals who plan binges ahead of time differ from those who binge impulsively is also still unknown. The present study sought to explore the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors associated with binge planning, and to identify how the motivations, symptomologies, and personality traits (i.e., impulsivity) differ between binge eaters who do or do not plan their binges. An online study using self-report questionnaires including a novel measure of binge planning was conducted to meet these aims. Results revealed that binge planning may have more to do with a focus on food than with the behavior of binge eating itself, and that the traits and symptom profiles of those who plan binges are not substantially different from those who do not. Implications and directions for future investigations are discussed

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