An application of escape theory to binge eating

Abstract The application of Escape Theory (Heatherton & Baumeister, 1991 ) to binge eating was studied in a non‐clinical sample of 129 women. Structural equation modelling (SEM) showed a good fit between the Escape Model and the data. Perfectionism strongly predicted aversive self‐awareness which, in turn, predicted negative affect. Negative affect predicted levels of avoidant coping which strongly predicted levels of binge eating. Implications for understanding and treating binge eating are considered. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.