Beyond symptom reduction: The longitudinal relationship between eating disorder symptoms and mental wellbeing in young women

Katharine Scutt; Elizabeth Rieger; Kathina Ali; Conal Monaghan

doi:10.1111/bjc.70082

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Beyond symptom reduction: The longitudinal relationship between eating disorder symptoms and mental wellbeing in young women

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Beyond symptom reduction: The longitudinal relationship between eating disorder symptoms and mental wellbeing in young women

Katharine Scutt, Elizabeth Rieger, Kathina Ali and Conal Monaghan

British Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol.Advanced access

21-Jul-2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.70082

PMID: 42478303

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Abstract

psychological wellbeing

eating disorders

dual continua model

wellbeing

Background Eating disorder (ED) symptoms and mental wellbeing are related but distinct dimensions of mental health. However, little is known about their longitudinal relationship, which is essential for understanding prevention and intervention targets. This study examined temporal relationships between ED symptoms and mental wellbeing over 12 months in young women, including which wellbeing dimensions (psychological, emotional, social) most strongly predicted ED symptoms. Design and Methods Young women (n = 552) completed measures of ED symptoms and mental wellbeing at three timepoints over 12 months. Latent growth curve and cross-lagged panel models examined change trajectories and temporal dynamics. Results ED symptoms and mental wellbeing showed moderate baseline correlation (16% shared variance) with 86% of change trajectories operating independently. Cross-lagged analyses revealed asymmetric bidirectional relationships: ED symptoms predicted wellbeing (T1 → T2: β = −.10, p = .039), then wellbeing predicted ED symptoms (T2 → T3: β = −.14, p = .001). Only psychological wellbeing showed bidirectional relationships with ED symptoms. Conclusions In young women, ED symptoms predicted subsequent reductions in mental wellbeing, which in turn predicted later symptom worsening. Mental wellbeing, particularly psychological wellbeing, may therefore contribute to symptom persistence if depleted. The findings suggest that mental wellbeing and its relationship to ED symptoms may warrant consideration alongside symptom reduction in research and intervention contexts.

Details

Title: Beyond symptom reduction: The longitudinal relationship between eating disorder symptoms and mental wellbeing in young women
Authors: Katharine Scutt (Corresponding Author) - Australian National University
Elizabeth Rieger - Australian National University
Kathina Ali - University of the Sunshine Coast
Conal Monaghan - Australian National University
Publication details: British Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol.Advanced access
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
DOI: 10.1111/bjc.70082
ISSN: 2044-8260
PMID: 42478303
Copyright note: © 2026 The Author(s). British Journal of Clinical Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Psychological Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Data Availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Psychology
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991246275302621
Output Type: Journal article

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