The assessment of bulimia in high school students

This study attempted to: estimate the prevalence of bulimia among a sample of high school students; identify demographic variables associated with the disorder; and identify possible personality variables associated with bulimia. Based on the DSM-III criteria for bulimia, each of 257 students who participated in the study was assigned to one of three groups; 12 students (4.7%) were identified as bulimic, 88 (34.2%) as binge eaters, and 157 (61.1%) as normal eaters. Gender was the only demographic variable significantly associated with group, and all 12 of the bulimic students were female (7.1% of the female students). Personality differences were assessed with the California Psychological Inventory (CPI). On two of the scales, female students identified as bulimic and binge eaters scored significantly lower than students identified as normal eaters, indicating poorer adjustment. In males, none of the scales discriminated between the binge eater and normal eater groups. Results are discussed in the context of mental health needs among adolescents and high school students.