CQUniversity
Browse

The Difficulties in Emotional Regulation among a Cohort of Females with Lipedema

Download (451.43 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 01:56 authored by M Al-Wardat, Chantelle ClarkeChantelle Clarke, N Alwardat, M Kassab, C Salimei, P Gualtieri, M Marchetti, Talitha BestTalitha Best, L Di Renzo
Background: Lipedema is a chronic and progressive adipose tissue disorder that causes significant morbidity and negatively influences mental health and quality of life, and increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. One construct of relevance to better understanding psychological disorders is emotion regulation (ER). Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the difficulties in ER among lipedema patients compared to healthy people without lipedema. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed differences in ER and anxiety between two groups: 26 female patients with lipedema and 26 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) assessed emotional regulation across six dimensions: Impulse control, goal-directed behavior, awareness, clarity, non-acceptance, and strategies. Anxiety was assessed by the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A). ANOVA assessed differences in measures between lipedema and healthy control groups. Results: Lipedema patients presented with significantly more difficulties in ER and a higher level of anxiety than those without lipedema. Specifically, the lipedema group showed higher and significant differences in total DERS and anxiety scores and all DERS subscales scores compared to those without lipedema. Conclusions: Lipedema patients showed significant difficulties with ER, and were associated with anxiety symptoms, indicating that ER difficulties may play a role in developing emotional disorders, such as anxiety, for patients with lipedema. The health care provider should pay more attention to ER difficulties and psychological status among lipedema patients.

History

Volume

19

Issue

20

Start Page

1

End Page

9

Number of Pages

9

eISSN

1660-4601

ISSN

1661-7827

Publisher

MDPI AG

Publisher License

CC BY 4.0

Additional Rights

CC BY 4.0

Language

en

Peer Reviewed

  • Yes

Open Access

  • Yes

Acceptance Date

2022-10-19

External Author Affiliations

University of Tor Vergata, Italy; Jerash University, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan;

Author Research Institute

  • Appleton Institute

Era Eligible

  • Yes

Medium

Electronic

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Article Number

ARTN 13679