Masters Theses

Date of Award

2-1997

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Psychology

Major Professor

Cheryl B. Travis

Committee Members

Warren Jones, Deborah Welsh

Abstract

Mental disorders are often complex and perplexing both for those diagnosed with the disorder and those who desire to understand it. Eating disorders are especially challenging mental disorders due to the severe physical and emotional health effects of these disorders. Previous research has identified individuals who are overly concerned with their body and weight are at risk for developing an eating disorder. It is proposed by the author that other factors such as personality may also identify individuals who are at risk for developing an eating disorder. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of personality in eating disorders along a continuum with subclinical eating disorders and normal eating patterns. The utility of conceptualizing eating disorders along a continuum was supported by the prevalence of many disordered eating behaviors and attitudes among this nonclinical sample and the frequency of such behaviors and attitudes among individuals with various scores on measures of eating disorder symptomatology. Although the level of prediction was low, personality was a contributing factor to the prediction of eating disorder symptomatology. The results of this study suggest the importance of including personality in a multidimensional approach to eating disorder research.

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