Jillon Vander Wal - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Jillon Vander Wal

American Psychological Association eBooks, Oct 27, 2004

Psychological Assessment, 1996

The Bulimia Test—Revised (BULIT–R; M. H. Thelen, J. Farmer, S. Wonderlich, & M. Smith... more The Bulimia Test—Revised (BULIT–R; M. H. Thelen, J. Farmer, S. Wonderlich, & M. Smith, 1991) was given to participants who met the criteria in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) for bulimia nervosa and control participants to determine if the test continues to be a valid measure of bulimia

Journal of Health Psychology, 2012

This article examined moderators of the association between BMI and unhealthy weight control beha... more This article examined moderators of the association between BMI and unhealthy weight control behaviors suggested by the Dual Pathway Model among 4,529 adolescents from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children survey. An obese classification was associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors for boys and girls. Low life satisfaction, high negative affect, and body size dissatisfaction were associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors among boys as was low life satisfaction for girls. Among girls, healthy weight classification, coupled with low negative affect or body size satisfaction, was protective against unhealthy weight control behaviors. Improved self-care may decrease obesity and unhealthy weight control behaviors.

Health education, Feb 1, 2004

ABSTRACT This study examined the effectiveness of using the Internet to teach consumers about qua... more ABSTRACT This study examined the effectiveness of using the Internet to teach consumers about quality health care, compared consumer definitions of quality health care prior to and following completion of the Internet experience, and compared ratings of learning, satisfaction and value of the Internet instruction between consumers who completed the Internet intervention alone and consumers who completed the Internet intervention and interacted with a nurse. A total of 34 people from a community library participated in this randomized comparative study. The intervention was effective in increasing consumer knowledge of quality care from pre- to post-test. Although there were no significant differences between the two groups in knowledge gain, consumers in the interaction group had significantly higher scores on usefulness of the information in assessing the quality of care they are receiving from their health-care providers.

PubMed, Dec 1, 2008

The Fuld Object Memory Evaluation and MacNeill Lichtenberg Decision Tree are useful screening too... more The Fuld Object Memory Evaluation and MacNeill Lichtenberg Decision Tree are useful screening tools to detect cognitive impairments that may be associated with difficulty in hypertension-related self-care and blood pressure outcomes. The results of a pilot study exploring the effect of cognition on hypertension-related self-care and blood pressure outcomes among African-American elders are described.

Addictive Behaviors, Jul 1, 1997

The perceived commonality and acceptability of symptoms of bulimia, as well as associated variabl... more The perceived commonality and acceptability of symptoms of bulimia, as well as associated variables including gender. generation, knowledge of bulimia. body mass index, and bulimic symptomatology, were assessed. These views were explored in a sample of college students (N = 155 male; N = 173 female) and their parents (N = 194 mothers; N = 16.3 fathers). Females perceived bulimic symptoms to be more common than males, and students perceived them to be more common than their parents. Students perceived bulimic symptoms to be more acceptable than their parents. Females had higher levels of bulimic symptomatology. particularly daughters. Stepwise simultaneous regression analyses revealed that one's own level of bulimic symptomatology was the primary predictor of one's attitudes toward the commonality and acceptability of bulimic symptoms. Bulimic symptomatology was primarily predicted from perceptions of the acceptability of bulimic symptoms and body mass index. Results suggest that college-age students may be at greater risk for the development of bulimia nervosa because of their greater tolerance of these symptoms: alternatively. people endorsing higher levels of bulimic symptomatology may adjust their attitudes, perceiving bulimic symptoms lo be more tolerable. in order to alleviate the dissonance between their attitudes and behaviors.

Eating Behaviors, Aug 1, 2014

The etiological dual pathway model of bulimia nervosa suggests that dietary restraint and negativ... more The etiological dual pathway model of bulimia nervosa suggests that dietary restraint and negative affect are significant predictors of this disorder. Negative urgency, or the tendency to act rashly in response to negative emotionality, is also associated with bulimia nervosa; however, no study has examined the role of negative urgency within the context of the dual pathway model. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between bulimic symptomatology and negative urgency in the context of dietary restraint and depressive affect. Participants (N=166) were college women recruited from a private mid-western university through an online participant registry. A self-report battery assessed depressive affect, dietary restraint, negative urgency, and bulimic symptoms. Participants' height and weight were measured in-person to determine body mass index. A significant main effect of negative urgency was found after controlling for depressive affect and dietary restraint. The interaction between depressive affect and negative urgency to predict bulimic symptoms approached significance; however, no statistically significant interaction between dietary restraint and negative urgency was observed. These results provide support for the inclusion of negative urgency as a significant factor in etiological frameworks of bulimia nervosa.

Eating Behaviors, Apr 1, 2009

Individuals who experience interpersonal sensitivity (IPS) may be at an increased risk for develo... more Individuals who experience interpersonal sensitivity (IPS) may be at an increased risk for developing eating disorder symptomatology. The purpose of the present study was to assess the predictive capacity of IPS and related constructs in the development of bulimic symptomatology both cross-sectionally and longitudinally while controlling for depressive symptoms. Participants were 119 female undergraduate psychology students attending a private mid-size Midwestern university. Data were collected at both the beginning and end of the academic semester. Participants completed the Center for Epidemiological Study-Depression Scale, Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure, and the Bulimia Test-Revised. The Fragile Inner Self subscale of the IPSM was found to significantly account for additional variability in BULIT-R scores after controlling for depression both cross-sectionally and longitudinally (8% and 2%, respectively). IPS is a suitable candidate for inclusion in the dual pathway model of bulimic symptomatology.

Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Jun 1, 2012

Body Image, Mar 1, 2022

Positive body image is a multidimensional construct consisting of various facets including body a... more Positive body image is a multidimensional construct consisting of various facets including body appreciation, body image flexibility, and functionality appreciation measured via the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-5 (BI-AAQ-5), and Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS), respectively. Research has supported the unidimensional factor structure of these measures; however, invariance testing based on sexual identity has yet to be conducted. The study's primary aim was to assess the measurement invariance of the BAS-2, BI-AAQ-5, and FAS between sexual minority and heterosexual women. The secondary aim was to assess the psychometric properties of each positive body image measure among each sample. Participants were predominantly White, cisgender women who identified as a sexual minority (n = 310) or heterosexual (n = 360) and completed online questionnaires of positive body image, eating behaviors, and mental and physical health. Results supported invariance with no differences in BAS-2 or BI-AAQ-5 scores. A significant difference with a small effect size was found in FAS scores, with sexual minority women reporting lower FAS scores. Findings supported the BI-AAQ-5 and FAS's incremental validity on perceived mental health. Overall, results suggest that the BAS-2, BI-AAQ-5, and FAS scores can be compared among women of varying sexual identities.

Archives of Dermatology, Jul 1, 2012

Eating Behaviors, Dec 1, 2011

Binge eating disorder, currently classified as an eating disorder not otherwise specified, is a v... more Binge eating disorder, currently classified as an eating disorder not otherwise specified, is a valid and clinically useful psychiatric diagnosis. Given its probable inclusion in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), identification of self-report measures with high levels of diagnostic utility should improve the likelihood and accuracy of screening. The aim of the current study was to assess the diagnostic utility of two widely used measures of eating disorder symptoms, namely the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDEQ) and the Bulimia Test-Revised (BULIT-R), as well as a factor of the BULIT-R (coined the Binge Eating Disorder Test or BEDT), newly created specifically for the assessment of BED. Participants included 15 individuals with BED and 26 non-BED controls, as determined via the diagnostic section of the Eating Disorder Examination, who met criteria for being overweight or obese. Results showed that the BEDT achieved 100% sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. The BULIT-R and Eating Concern subscale of the EDE-Q evidenced strong sensitivity (100 vs 87), specificity (96 vs 100), positive predictive values (94 vs 100), and negative predictive values (100 vs 93), respectively. Results suggest that the BEDT is an excellent overall measure of BED in obese populations. The BULIT-R affords the advantage of ruling out compensatory behaviors, particularly of the non-purging variety (e.g., severe restriction outside of binges), while the brevity of the Eating Concern subscale of the EDE-Q makes it optimal for use in brief screening situations.

Eating Behaviors, Nov 1, 2004

Disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors are widespread among girls in the United States. Because... more Disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors are widespread among girls in the United States. Because obesity is one of the leading risk factors for eating disorder development, African American and Hispanic girls may be at heightened risk due to their greater prevalence and degree of overweight. The present study examined the associations among disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors, body image dissatisfaction, weight classification, fears of negative evaluation, and coping skills among 139 African American and Hispanic girls in Grades 4 and 5 from a low-income urban area. African American girls had significantly lower body image dissatisfaction than Hispanic girls. Significant predictors of body image dissatisfaction included fear of negative evaluation and weight classification. Fear of negative evaluation was also a significant predictor of disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors. Overall, 10.1% of the African American girls and 12.7% of the Hispanic girls qualified for a diagnosis of a probable eating disorder. Girls with eating disorders had greater fears of negative evaluation and engaged in more cognitive avoidance. Both groups are at risk of eating disorder development.

Pediatric Clinics of North America, Dec 1, 2011

International Journal of Men's Health, Apr 1, 2010

The current study examined the mediational impact of gender role conflict on the relationship bet... more The current study examined the mediational impact of gender role conflict on the relationship between social sensitivity and depression in a sample of gay men. Participants were 162 self-identified gay men who responded to a collection of online questionnaires. Findings revealed that the combined effect of the subscales from the Gender Role Conflict Scale mediated the relationship between social sensitivity and depression. Specifically, the subscales of Restrictive Emotionality and Conflict Between Work and Family Relations were found to uniquely mediate this relationship. Results suggest that concerns gay men have in maintaining a masculine image may play an important role through which social sensitivity acts on the prediction of depression.

Family & Community Health, Jul 1, 2007

Health service use was compared in Russian immigrant (n = 105) and White nonimmigrant (n = 101) o... more Health service use was compared in Russian immigrant (n = 105) and White nonimmigrant (n = 101) older persons. Study participants completed a health utilization questionnaire, the Short-Form-36 Health Survey, and a health behavior diary. Controlling for health status and demographic variables, Russians reported significantly more service use, fewer physical access problems, and lower appointment availability, but nonimmigrants reported significantly more provider problems. Significant predictors of service use for the total sample included symptom self-care, health status, and age. In group-specific analyses, health status and age were significant for both groups and education was also significant for Russians.

Economics and Human Biology, Dec 1, 2012

Adolescents classified as overweight or obese are more likely to use unhealthy weight control beh... more Adolescents classified as overweight or obese are more likely to use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals or fasting than their healthy weight peers. Adolescents with low perceived social support may be at particular risk. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between adolescent overweight and obesity, indices of perceived peer and family social support, and their interaction in the use of unhealthy weight control behaviors among adolescents. The present study used data from the 2001-2002 Health Behavior in School-Aged Children collaborative survey. Participants included 4598 adolescent girls and boys in the ninth and tenth grades. Results of binary logistic regression analyses showed that obese boys and girls were more likely to use unhealthy weight control behaviors than their healthy weight peers. Boys and girls who endorsed difficult communication with their parents, low levels of parent school support, or frequent bullying were more likely to engage in unhealthy weight control behaviors than relevant comparison groups. Among girls, poor classmate relationships were associated with increased use of unhealthy weight control behaviors whereas fewer friendships were associated with decreased use. Results suggest that adolescents are at high risk for use of unhealthy weight control behaviors and would benefit from interventions to increase knowledge and social support for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

American Psychological Association eBooks, Oct 27, 2004

Psychological Assessment, 1996

The Bulimia Test—Revised (BULIT–R; M. H. Thelen, J. Farmer, S. Wonderlich, & M. Smith... more The Bulimia Test—Revised (BULIT–R; M. H. Thelen, J. Farmer, S. Wonderlich, & M. Smith, 1991) was given to participants who met the criteria in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) for bulimia nervosa and control participants to determine if the test continues to be a valid measure of bulimia

Journal of Health Psychology, 2012

This article examined moderators of the association between BMI and unhealthy weight control beha... more This article examined moderators of the association between BMI and unhealthy weight control behaviors suggested by the Dual Pathway Model among 4,529 adolescents from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children survey. An obese classification was associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors for boys and girls. Low life satisfaction, high negative affect, and body size dissatisfaction were associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors among boys as was low life satisfaction for girls. Among girls, healthy weight classification, coupled with low negative affect or body size satisfaction, was protective against unhealthy weight control behaviors. Improved self-care may decrease obesity and unhealthy weight control behaviors.

Health education, Feb 1, 2004

ABSTRACT This study examined the effectiveness of using the Internet to teach consumers about qua... more ABSTRACT This study examined the effectiveness of using the Internet to teach consumers about quality health care, compared consumer definitions of quality health care prior to and following completion of the Internet experience, and compared ratings of learning, satisfaction and value of the Internet instruction between consumers who completed the Internet intervention alone and consumers who completed the Internet intervention and interacted with a nurse. A total of 34 people from a community library participated in this randomized comparative study. The intervention was effective in increasing consumer knowledge of quality care from pre- to post-test. Although there were no significant differences between the two groups in knowledge gain, consumers in the interaction group had significantly higher scores on usefulness of the information in assessing the quality of care they are receiving from their health-care providers.

PubMed, Dec 1, 2008

The Fuld Object Memory Evaluation and MacNeill Lichtenberg Decision Tree are useful screening too... more The Fuld Object Memory Evaluation and MacNeill Lichtenberg Decision Tree are useful screening tools to detect cognitive impairments that may be associated with difficulty in hypertension-related self-care and blood pressure outcomes. The results of a pilot study exploring the effect of cognition on hypertension-related self-care and blood pressure outcomes among African-American elders are described.

Addictive Behaviors, Jul 1, 1997

The perceived commonality and acceptability of symptoms of bulimia, as well as associated variabl... more The perceived commonality and acceptability of symptoms of bulimia, as well as associated variables including gender. generation, knowledge of bulimia. body mass index, and bulimic symptomatology, were assessed. These views were explored in a sample of college students (N = 155 male; N = 173 female) and their parents (N = 194 mothers; N = 16.3 fathers). Females perceived bulimic symptoms to be more common than males, and students perceived them to be more common than their parents. Students perceived bulimic symptoms to be more acceptable than their parents. Females had higher levels of bulimic symptomatology. particularly daughters. Stepwise simultaneous regression analyses revealed that one's own level of bulimic symptomatology was the primary predictor of one's attitudes toward the commonality and acceptability of bulimic symptoms. Bulimic symptomatology was primarily predicted from perceptions of the acceptability of bulimic symptoms and body mass index. Results suggest that college-age students may be at greater risk for the development of bulimia nervosa because of their greater tolerance of these symptoms: alternatively. people endorsing higher levels of bulimic symptomatology may adjust their attitudes, perceiving bulimic symptoms lo be more tolerable. in order to alleviate the dissonance between their attitudes and behaviors.

Eating Behaviors, Aug 1, 2014

The etiological dual pathway model of bulimia nervosa suggests that dietary restraint and negativ... more The etiological dual pathway model of bulimia nervosa suggests that dietary restraint and negative affect are significant predictors of this disorder. Negative urgency, or the tendency to act rashly in response to negative emotionality, is also associated with bulimia nervosa; however, no study has examined the role of negative urgency within the context of the dual pathway model. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between bulimic symptomatology and negative urgency in the context of dietary restraint and depressive affect. Participants (N=166) were college women recruited from a private mid-western university through an online participant registry. A self-report battery assessed depressive affect, dietary restraint, negative urgency, and bulimic symptoms. Participants' height and weight were measured in-person to determine body mass index. A significant main effect of negative urgency was found after controlling for depressive affect and dietary restraint. The interaction between depressive affect and negative urgency to predict bulimic symptoms approached significance; however, no statistically significant interaction between dietary restraint and negative urgency was observed. These results provide support for the inclusion of negative urgency as a significant factor in etiological frameworks of bulimia nervosa.

Eating Behaviors, Apr 1, 2009

Individuals who experience interpersonal sensitivity (IPS) may be at an increased risk for develo... more Individuals who experience interpersonal sensitivity (IPS) may be at an increased risk for developing eating disorder symptomatology. The purpose of the present study was to assess the predictive capacity of IPS and related constructs in the development of bulimic symptomatology both cross-sectionally and longitudinally while controlling for depressive symptoms. Participants were 119 female undergraduate psychology students attending a private mid-size Midwestern university. Data were collected at both the beginning and end of the academic semester. Participants completed the Center for Epidemiological Study-Depression Scale, Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure, and the Bulimia Test-Revised. The Fragile Inner Self subscale of the IPSM was found to significantly account for additional variability in BULIT-R scores after controlling for depression both cross-sectionally and longitudinally (8% and 2%, respectively). IPS is a suitable candidate for inclusion in the dual pathway model of bulimic symptomatology.

Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Jun 1, 2012

Body Image, Mar 1, 2022

Positive body image is a multidimensional construct consisting of various facets including body a... more Positive body image is a multidimensional construct consisting of various facets including body appreciation, body image flexibility, and functionality appreciation measured via the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-5 (BI-AAQ-5), and Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS), respectively. Research has supported the unidimensional factor structure of these measures; however, invariance testing based on sexual identity has yet to be conducted. The study's primary aim was to assess the measurement invariance of the BAS-2, BI-AAQ-5, and FAS between sexual minority and heterosexual women. The secondary aim was to assess the psychometric properties of each positive body image measure among each sample. Participants were predominantly White, cisgender women who identified as a sexual minority (n = 310) or heterosexual (n = 360) and completed online questionnaires of positive body image, eating behaviors, and mental and physical health. Results supported invariance with no differences in BAS-2 or BI-AAQ-5 scores. A significant difference with a small effect size was found in FAS scores, with sexual minority women reporting lower FAS scores. Findings supported the BI-AAQ-5 and FAS's incremental validity on perceived mental health. Overall, results suggest that the BAS-2, BI-AAQ-5, and FAS scores can be compared among women of varying sexual identities.

Archives of Dermatology, Jul 1, 2012

Eating Behaviors, Dec 1, 2011

Binge eating disorder, currently classified as an eating disorder not otherwise specified, is a v... more Binge eating disorder, currently classified as an eating disorder not otherwise specified, is a valid and clinically useful psychiatric diagnosis. Given its probable inclusion in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), identification of self-report measures with high levels of diagnostic utility should improve the likelihood and accuracy of screening. The aim of the current study was to assess the diagnostic utility of two widely used measures of eating disorder symptoms, namely the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDEQ) and the Bulimia Test-Revised (BULIT-R), as well as a factor of the BULIT-R (coined the Binge Eating Disorder Test or BEDT), newly created specifically for the assessment of BED. Participants included 15 individuals with BED and 26 non-BED controls, as determined via the diagnostic section of the Eating Disorder Examination, who met criteria for being overweight or obese. Results showed that the BEDT achieved 100% sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. The BULIT-R and Eating Concern subscale of the EDE-Q evidenced strong sensitivity (100 vs 87), specificity (96 vs 100), positive predictive values (94 vs 100), and negative predictive values (100 vs 93), respectively. Results suggest that the BEDT is an excellent overall measure of BED in obese populations. The BULIT-R affords the advantage of ruling out compensatory behaviors, particularly of the non-purging variety (e.g., severe restriction outside of binges), while the brevity of the Eating Concern subscale of the EDE-Q makes it optimal for use in brief screening situations.

Eating Behaviors, Nov 1, 2004

Disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors are widespread among girls in the United States. Because... more Disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors are widespread among girls in the United States. Because obesity is one of the leading risk factors for eating disorder development, African American and Hispanic girls may be at heightened risk due to their greater prevalence and degree of overweight. The present study examined the associations among disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors, body image dissatisfaction, weight classification, fears of negative evaluation, and coping skills among 139 African American and Hispanic girls in Grades 4 and 5 from a low-income urban area. African American girls had significantly lower body image dissatisfaction than Hispanic girls. Significant predictors of body image dissatisfaction included fear of negative evaluation and weight classification. Fear of negative evaluation was also a significant predictor of disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors. Overall, 10.1% of the African American girls and 12.7% of the Hispanic girls qualified for a diagnosis of a probable eating disorder. Girls with eating disorders had greater fears of negative evaluation and engaged in more cognitive avoidance. Both groups are at risk of eating disorder development.

Pediatric Clinics of North America, Dec 1, 2011

International Journal of Men's Health, Apr 1, 2010

The current study examined the mediational impact of gender role conflict on the relationship bet... more The current study examined the mediational impact of gender role conflict on the relationship between social sensitivity and depression in a sample of gay men. Participants were 162 self-identified gay men who responded to a collection of online questionnaires. Findings revealed that the combined effect of the subscales from the Gender Role Conflict Scale mediated the relationship between social sensitivity and depression. Specifically, the subscales of Restrictive Emotionality and Conflict Between Work and Family Relations were found to uniquely mediate this relationship. Results suggest that concerns gay men have in maintaining a masculine image may play an important role through which social sensitivity acts on the prediction of depression.

Family & Community Health, Jul 1, 2007

Health service use was compared in Russian immigrant (n = 105) and White nonimmigrant (n = 101) o... more Health service use was compared in Russian immigrant (n = 105) and White nonimmigrant (n = 101) older persons. Study participants completed a health utilization questionnaire, the Short-Form-36 Health Survey, and a health behavior diary. Controlling for health status and demographic variables, Russians reported significantly more service use, fewer physical access problems, and lower appointment availability, but nonimmigrants reported significantly more provider problems. Significant predictors of service use for the total sample included symptom self-care, health status, and age. In group-specific analyses, health status and age were significant for both groups and education was also significant for Russians.

Economics and Human Biology, Dec 1, 2012

Adolescents classified as overweight or obese are more likely to use unhealthy weight control beh... more Adolescents classified as overweight or obese are more likely to use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals or fasting than their healthy weight peers. Adolescents with low perceived social support may be at particular risk. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between adolescent overweight and obesity, indices of perceived peer and family social support, and their interaction in the use of unhealthy weight control behaviors among adolescents. The present study used data from the 2001-2002 Health Behavior in School-Aged Children collaborative survey. Participants included 4598 adolescent girls and boys in the ninth and tenth grades. Results of binary logistic regression analyses showed that obese boys and girls were more likely to use unhealthy weight control behaviors than their healthy weight peers. Boys and girls who endorsed difficult communication with their parents, low levels of parent school support, or frequent bullying were more likely to engage in unhealthy weight control behaviors than relevant comparison groups. Among girls, poor classmate relationships were associated with increased use of unhealthy weight control behaviors whereas fewer friendships were associated with decreased use. Results suggest that adolescents are at high risk for use of unhealthy weight control behaviors and would benefit from interventions to increase knowledge and social support for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.