Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Mediators between perfectionism and eating disorder psychopathology: shape and weight overvaluation and conditional
Hunna J Watson1, Bronwyn C Raykos, Helen Street
1Centre for Clinical Interventions, 223 James St, Northbridge, Western Australia, Australia. hunna.watson@health.wa.gov.au
Objective:
To examine mediators of the relationship between perfectionism and eating disorder (ED) psychopathology in a clinical sample.
Method:
Participants were 201 women with a DSM-IV diagnosed ED consecutively referred to a specialist outpatient treatment clinic. Participants completed measures of perfectionism, ED psychopathology, shape and weight overvaluation, and conditional goal-setting (CGS).
Results:
Evaluation of a multivariate mediator model using Baron and Kenny's (1986) four-step mediation methodology showed that shape and weight overvaluation and CGS significantly and uniquely mediated the relation between self-oriented perfectionism (SOP) and restraint, eating concern, shape concern, and weight concern. The mediator model furthered the proportion of explained variance in outcomes beyond the direct effects model by 28-49%.
Discussion:
The findings support the conclusion that the relationship between SOP and ED psychopathology in women with a clinically diagnosed ED is mediated by shape and weight overvaluation and CGS.
Related Concept Videos
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Bulimia Nervosa
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Binge Eating Disorders
Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Personality Disorders: Dependent and Obsessive-Compulsive
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others to manage various aspects of life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle with...

