The Role of Acculturative Stress, Discrimination, Family Cohesion, and Social Support on Binge Eating in Latinx Individuals

Abstract

Latinxs have higher rates of eating disorders characterized by binge eating compared to their non-Latinx White counterparts, yet culturally relevant factors related to binge eating in Latinxs have been largely understudied. Without understanding how social and culturally relevant factors are associated with binge eating in this population, Latinxs will continue to be underserved and receive inadequate treatment for binge eating problems. The purpose of the current study was to examine how discrimination and acculturative stress were associated with binge eating in a nationally representative sample of Latinxs. An additional aim was to test the extent to which family cohesion and social support could buffer against the effects of discrimination and acculturative stress on binge eating. Participants (56% female, N = 2,554) were Latinxs enrolled in the National Latino and Asian American Study. Results from structural equation modeling indicated that only discrimination was significantly associated with binge eating. Neither the direct effect of acculturative stress, interaction of family cohesion and acculturative stress, interaction of social cohesion and acculturative stress, nor the interaction of social support and discrimination were significantly associated with binge eating. This study highlights the need for mental health providers to understand and assess discrimination among Latinxs presenting with concerns of binge eating.