Human Facial Communication : Microexpressions Reconceptualized

Childhood maltreatment (CM) has been associated with numerous developmental complications. Moreover, pubertal changes have been found to increase the risk of developing eating disorders. This literature review aims to explore potential mediators of the relationship between CM and binge eating disorder (BED) during puberty. BED is characterized by excessive consumption of food in a short period of time coupled with high levels of distress. Key empirical findings in current literature suggest that CM affects cognitive, neuroanatomical, and neurobiological processes, which may partially explain the relationship between CM and BED. Due to contrasting evidence as to the role of CM in BED formation, further studies are needed. Future exploration of potential treatment methods ranging from psychological therapies to pharmacological interventions, and community approaches stemming from the findings of this review could impact how BED is managed clinically. Thus, the risk of experiencing BED is higher when CM occurs and requires further investigation. ______________________________________________________ Résumé Les mauvais traitements infligés aux enfants (MTE) sont associés à de nombreux problèmes de développement. En outre, on a constaté que les changements qui surviennent à la puberté augmentent le risque de développer des troubles de l’alimentation. La présente revue de la littérature vise à explorer les médiateurs potentiels de la relation entre les MTE et l’hyperphagie boulimique (HB) pendant la puberté. L’HB se caractérise par une consommation excessive de nourriture pendant une courte période de temps associée à des niveaux élevés de détresse. Les principaux résultats empiriques figurant dans la revue de la littérature indiquent que les MTE affectent les processus cognitifs, neuroanatomiques et neurobiologiques, ce qui peut expliquer en partie la relation entre MTE et HB. En raison de la présence de preuves contradictoires quant au rôle des MTE dans le développement de l’HB, d’autres études sont nécessaires. L’exploration future de méthodes de traitement possibles, allant des thérapies psychologiques aux interventions pharmacologiques, et les approches communautaires découlant des conclusions de la présente revue de la littérature pourraient avoir une incidence sur la façon dont l’HB est prise en charge sur le plan clinique. Par conséquent, le risque de présenter une HB est plus grand en présence de MTE et nécessite une étude plus approfondie. __________________________________________________ Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food in a short amount of time (e.g., within a 2-hour period), feelings of loss of control (LOC), and heightened emotional distress (Marzilli et al., 2018). The lifetime prevalence of BED ranges from 1.6% (Swanson et al., 2011) to 3% (Stice et al., 2013), making BED a prevalent and problematic eating behavior (Goldschmidt et al., 2016; Swanson et al., 2011). Youth with BED report lower levels of self-esteem, greater body dissatisfaction, emotional disturbance, and heightened experience of depressive mood in comparison to individuals without BED (Stice et al., 2009). Furthermore, BED has also been associated with excessive weight gain and health-related difficulties such as coronary heart disease (Akil & Ahmad, 2011; Blomquist et al., 2011). Children and adolescents who have experienced maltreatment, defined as the failure to provide basic needs to ensure safety, security, and support, may be at an elevated risk for developing BED (Cicchetti & Lynch, 1993; Cowell et al., 2015; Elton et al., 2014). Notably, more than 80% of individuals with BED have described being exposed to various forms of CM. Reports range from a variety of forms of abuse (e.g., emotional, physical, and sexual) to emotional and physical neglect (Grilo & Masheb, 2001). Childhood maltreatment (CM) has also been associated with an increased likelihood of psychiatric disorder formation (Lippard & Nemeroff, 2020). Moreover, the transition from childhood to adolescence may lead to greater risk for developing eating disorders due to large hormonal changes stemming