Examining the Feasibility of an Ecological Momentary Assessment Study of Binge Eating among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Women
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Stressors experienced by sexual minority women (SMW; lesbian, bisexual, queer, etc.) put them at greater risk of dysregulated eating behaviors (e.g., binge eating) as compared to heterosexual women. However, little is known about factors that contribute to these discrepancies in daily life. This study examined the feasibility of conducting a smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study aimed at collecting information about daily experiences and binge eating among heterosexual and SMW. Participants were heterosexual women (n=9) and SMW (n=15) ages 18-30 who completed brief smartphone surveys for 7 days, including a morning survey, 5 prompted surveys throughout the day, and a user-initiated binge eating survey. Participants provided qualitative feedback through a 1-hour interview via Zoom and a survey at the end of the study. Overall, participants were compliant with the EMA protocol (completing 84% of morning surveys; 71% of prompted surveys). Participants reported an average of 1.85 binge-eating episodes during the week and found it relatively easy to identify binge eating (M=3.95; 0=disagree, 5=agree), and remember to complete the binge eating survey (M=3.71; 0=disagree, 5=agree). At the end of the study, they reported study questions overall captured their experience (M=4.29; 1=not at all, 5=a great deal) and that the smartphone survey app was easy to use (M=5.76; 0=not at all easy, 6=very easy). Findings suggest study feasibility, as participants found EMA study procedures and materials easy to understand and access. This pilot study will inform a larger study to improve our understanding of binge eating in young heterosexual and SMW.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Kristin Heron
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Clinical Psychology
Session Title
Science Research #2
Location
Zoom Room W
Start Date
3-20-2021 1:00 PM
End Date
3-20-2021 1:55 PM
Examining the Feasibility of an Ecological Momentary Assessment Study of Binge Eating among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Women
Zoom Room W
Stressors experienced by sexual minority women (SMW; lesbian, bisexual, queer, etc.) put them at greater risk of dysregulated eating behaviors (e.g., binge eating) as compared to heterosexual women. However, little is known about factors that contribute to these discrepancies in daily life. This study examined the feasibility of conducting a smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study aimed at collecting information about daily experiences and binge eating among heterosexual and SMW. Participants were heterosexual women (n=9) and SMW (n=15) ages 18-30 who completed brief smartphone surveys for 7 days, including a morning survey, 5 prompted surveys throughout the day, and a user-initiated binge eating survey. Participants provided qualitative feedback through a 1-hour interview via Zoom and a survey at the end of the study. Overall, participants were compliant with the EMA protocol (completing 84% of morning surveys; 71% of prompted surveys). Participants reported an average of 1.85 binge-eating episodes during the week and found it relatively easy to identify binge eating (M=3.95; 0=disagree, 5=agree), and remember to complete the binge eating survey (M=3.71; 0=disagree, 5=agree). At the end of the study, they reported study questions overall captured their experience (M=4.29; 1=not at all, 5=a great deal) and that the smartphone survey app was easy to use (M=5.76; 0=not at all easy, 6=very easy). Findings suggest study feasibility, as participants found EMA study procedures and materials easy to understand and access. This pilot study will inform a larger study to improve our understanding of binge eating in young heterosexual and SMW.