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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
07:40
Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Adaptive elements of aging: Self-image discrepancy, perfectionism, and eating problems.
1Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston, MA 02114, USA. clanda77@aol.com
Developmental Psychology
|January 5, 2007
Summary
Adult development may reduce eating disorder symptoms by lowering self-image discrepancy and perfectionism. Older women showed fewer eating pathology symptoms, linked to these personality changes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Eating disorders are a significant concern, particularly among young adults.
- Personality traits like perfectionism and self-image discrepancy are linked to eating pathology.
- Age-related changes in personality may influence the trajectory of eating disorder symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine age-related personality changes contributing to reduced eating disorder symptoms in adulthood.
- To compare personality variables and eating pathology between young undergraduate women and older alumnae.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing undergraduate women (mean age 19.85) with sorority alumnae (mean age 33.74).
- Assessment of eating pathology, self-image discrepancy (real vs. ideal self), and perfectionism.
Main Results:
- Older alumnae exhibited significantly lower self-image discrepancy and perfectionism compared to undergraduates.
- Both self-image discrepancy and perfectionism were positively correlated with eating pathology.
- These personality variables collectively explained the reduced eating pathology in older participants.
Conclusions:
- Adult development is associated with reductions in self-image discrepancy and perfectionism.
- These personality shifts are key factors in the observed decrease in eating pathology symptoms with age.
- Specific aspects of self-image and perfectionism demonstrate distinct age-related patterns and varying links to eating pathology.
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