This study had three aims. The first aim was to replicate
previous research by comparing patients with AN-R and
AN-BP in terms of the nature and extent of difficulties
with emotion regulation at the time of admission to intensive
treatment using the Difficulties in Emotion
Regulation Scale (DERS) which is based on Gratz and
Roemer’s multidimensional model of emotion regulation
and dysregulation [12]. Given previous findings indicating
greater impulsivity and more difficulties inhibiting
maladaptive behaviors when experiencing negative emotions
in AN-BP, it was hypothesized that those with ANBP
would report greater difficulties with emotion regulation
overall, as well as greater difficulties with impulse
control in particular. Because emotional overcontrol and
associated traits have been observed to be common in
AN-R, it was hypothesized that patients with the AN-R
subtype would have greater difficulties with lack of emotion
awareness and non-acceptance of emotions than
those with AN-BP.