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Updated: May 17, 2026
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A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Disordered eating, perfectionism, and food rules.
Amanda Joelle Brown1, Kortney M Parman, Deirdre A Rudat
1Emory University Psychological Center, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. ajbrow9@emory.edu
Eating Behaviors
|November 6, 2012
Summary
Trait perfectionism can increase eating disorder risk through strict food rules. Self-oriented perfectionism specifically links to disordered eating via adherence to these food rules, informing early interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Eating Disorder Research
Background:
- Trait perfectionism is frequently observed in individuals with eating disorder symptoms.
- Food rules are common among those with disordered eating patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a measure for assessing food rule adherence.
- To investigate if adherence to food rules mediates the link between trait perfectionism and eating disorder symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Developed a measure to assess food rule adherence.
- Administered questionnaires to 48 female college students.
- Utilized multiple regression analyses to test a mediational model.
Main Results:
- Adherence to food rules significantly mediated the relationship between self-oriented perfectionism and disordered eating indices.
- This mediation was specific to self-oriented perfectionism, not other-oriented or socially prescribed perfectionism.
Conclusions:
- Adherence to food rules is a potential mechanism linking self-oriented perfectionism to disordered eating.
- Findings support the development of targeted interventions for disordered eating, particularly for perfectionistic individuals.
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