Perceived stress appraisals mediate the association between childhood trauma and trait binge eating in adults

Binge eating is associated with a range of negative health outcomes and may be influenced by early life adversity. While childhood trauma is a known risk factor for disordered eating, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not fully understood. This study examined whether perceived stress mediates the association between childhood trauma and trait binge eating in adults. A community sample of 391 participants (82% women; aged 17-76) completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Binge Eating Scale. Mediation analyses revealed perceived stress partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and binge eating symptoms. Furthermore perceived helplessness and low self-efficacy as sub-components of perceived stress were mediators in relation to emotional abuse and physical neglect. These findings support the role of cognitive-affective stress appraisals as mechanisms linking early adversity to disordered eating behaviours and highlight targets for prevention and intervention efforts.