Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
08:26
Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice
Published on: May 14, 2018
Family functioning, peer influence, and media influence as predictors of bulimic behavior
E A Young1, R McFatter, J R Clopton
1Department of Psychology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, USA.
Eating Behaviors
|March 6, 2004
Summary
Peer and media influences significantly predict bulimic behavior in undergraduate women. Body shape questionnaires (BSQ) were more accurate than body image assessments (BIA) in identifying body dysphoria linked to disordered eating.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Eating Disorders
Background:
- Bulimic behavior is a complex issue influenced by various psychological and social factors.
- Understanding the predictors of disordered eating is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.
- Previous research has explored the roles of personality, family, peers, and media, but their relative contributions require further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive power of family functioning, peer influence, and media influence on bulimic behavior among undergraduate women.
- To examine the interaction between media influence and body dysphoria in predicting bulimic behavior.
- To compare the efficacy of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the Body Image Assessment (BIA) in assessing body dysphoria related to bulimic tendencies.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 120 undergraduate women completed self-report measures including the Eating Disorder Questionnaire (EDQ), Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Family Assessment Device (FAD), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Body Image Assessment (BIA), and scales assessing peer and media influence.
- Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the predictive relationships between the measured variables and bulimic behavior.
Main Results:
- Family functioning was found to be a poor predictor of bulimic behavior.
- Peer influence emerged as a significant predictor of bulimic behavior.
- Media influence interacted with body dysphoria to increase the likelihood of bulimic behavior.
- The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) demonstrated greater predictive accuracy for bulimic behavior compared to the Body Image Assessment (BIA).
Conclusions:
- Peer influence plays a more substantial role in the development of bulimic behavior than family dynamics in this population.
- The interplay between media exposure and negative body image is a critical factor contributing to disordered eating.
- The BSQ may offer a more sensitive measure of body dysphoria relevant to bulimic behavior than the BIA, possibly due to its focus on specific body areas.
Related Concept Videos
02:04Bullying
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is bullying.
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...