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Risk factors for maladaptive eating patterns in college women.
1Psychology Department, Western Oregon University, 345 Monmouth Ave., Monmouth, OR 97361, USA. cooleye@wou.edu
Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD
|November 7, 2007
Summary
Depression, reassurance seeking, and stressful events predict increased eating pathology in college women. Perfectionism and body dissatisfaction were not significant predictors over time.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Eating Disorders Research
Background:
- Longitudinal studies are crucial for identifying causal risk factors for maladaptive eating patterns.
- Eating pathology is a significant concern during the transition to college.
- Previous research has identified various potential risk factors for eating disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine longitudinal predictors of eating pathology in female college students.
- To investigate the unique contributions of depression, reassurance seeking, perfectionism, impulsiveness, body dissatisfaction, and stressful events.
- To understand the stability and development of eating symptoms during the first 20 months of college.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design with 117 female college students.
- Assessment of eating pathology using the Eating Disorders Inventory.
- Hierarchical regression analyses to identify unique predictors of eating symptoms over time.
Main Results:
- Eating symptoms remained stable across the 20-month study period (r=0.68).
- Perfectionism, impulsiveness, and body dissatisfaction did not uniquely predict later eating symptoms.
- Depression, reassurance seeking, and stressful events were significant longitudinal predictors of eating pathology.
Conclusions:
- Depression, reassurance seeking, and stressful events are key risk factors for developing eating pathology in late adolescence.
- Perfectionism and body dissatisfaction may influence eating symptoms at earlier ages but not in late adolescence.
- The findings highlight the importance of addressing negative affect, social relationship needs, and stress management in preventing eating disorders.
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