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Peer influence on bulimic symptoms in college students
Alyson K Zalta1, Pamela K Keel
1Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
|February 24, 2006
Summary
Peer selection and socialization influence college students' bulimic symptoms. Personality traits like self-esteem and perfectionism predict changes, while impulsivity is socialized, highlighting integrated risk factors for disordered eating.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Eating Disorders Research
Background:
- Bulimic symptoms are a significant concern among college students.
- Understanding the interplay of social and individual factors is crucial for etiology.
- Peer influence is a potential mediator in the development of disordered eating.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how peer selection and socialization affect bulimic symptoms in college students.
- To examine the longitudinal relationship between personality traits (self-esteem, perfectionism, impulsivity) and bulimic symptoms.
- To differentiate the influence of selected versus unselected peers.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study design with 98 college student participants.
- Assessment of bulimic symptoms, self-esteem, perfectionism, and impulsivity across two time points.
- Analysis of peer similarity (selected, unselected, nonpeers) to assess socialization and selection effects.
Main Results:
- Selected peers showed socialization of bulimic symptoms and selection for self-esteem and perfectionism.
- Self-esteem and perfectionism longitudinally predicted changes in bulimic symptoms.
- Unselected peers exhibited socialization for impulsivity but not for bulimia, self-esteem, or perfectionism.
Conclusions:
- Findings support an integrated etiological model for disordered eating.
- Both social (peer influence) and individual (personality traits) factors contribute to bulimic symptoms.
- Peer selection and socialization dynamics play a role in the development and maintenance of disordered eating in college students.
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