How specific are the relationships between eating disorder behaviors and perfectionism?

Abstract

Perfectionism is associated with several mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. The goal of this study was to test the specificity of the associations between perfectionism facets and eating disorder behaviors, by examining whether neuroticism and conscientiousness mediated or moderated associations between these variables. Participants from a representative community sample (N=407; 47% female) completed questionnaires assessing perfectionism, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and eating disorder behaviors. Neuroticism partially mediated associations between binge eating, restraint, body dissatisfaction, and maladaptive perfectionism facets. Neuroticism did not mediate associations between restriction and achievement striving perfectionism facets. Conscientiousness did not mediate any associations between perfectionism facets and eating disorder behaviors, yet Doubts about Actions interacted with conscientiousness to predict body dissatisfaction. Results indicate that neuroticism is key for understanding general risk factors that lead to myriad internalizing disorders, whereas maladaptive perfectionism has limited usefulness as a specific risk factor for eating disorder behaviors. Nevertheless, there is a unique association between dietary restraint and achievement striving dimensions of perfectionism that cannot be explained by higher-order personality traits.

Etiological influences on continuity and co‐occurrence of eating disorders symptoms across adolescence and emerging adulthood

“…One potential explanation might be different personality traits characterizing these symptoms. Specifically, the former two symptoms share traits such as perfectionism, achievement striving, and rigidity (Chang, Ivezaj, Downey, Kashima, & Morady, 2008;Hewitt, Flett, & Ediger, 1995;Luo, Forbush, Williamson, Markon, & Pollack, 2013), in line with personality findings for anorexia nervosa (Bardone-Cone et al, 2007;Wonderlich, Lilenfeld, Riso, Engel, & Mitchell, 2005). In contrast, bulimia symptoms are associated with personality traits related to disinhibition and impulsiveness, especially in response to negative affect (Fischer, Smith, & Cyders, 2008), which is again in line with personality findings for bulimia nervosa (Danner, Sternheim, & Evers, 2014;Dawe & Loxton, 2004;Vitousek & Manke, 1994).…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with eating disorders: the role of emotion regulation and exploration of online treatment experiences

“…These concerns have also been raised in the context of EDs [18], where additional risks around "self-improvement" messages lie in the social reinforcement of thin idealisation, diet and exercise. In so far as participants with AN and with OSFED appeared more affected by triggering social media, it is interesting that some studies suggest perfectionism is associated less with bingeing than with other types of eating pathology, such as restriction and purging [43][44][45]. In accordance with its status as a lesser known, stigmatised and misunderstood eating disorder [46][47][48], the particular social media usage of individuals with BED is unknown; the different impact of social media exposure on people with BED in the present study is, as such, an intriguing avenue for future research.…”

Obesity and Eating Disturbance: the Role of TFEQ Restraint and Disinhibition

“…On the other hand, Restraint is used as a means to control leanness to strive towards body image ideals [75]; here, neuroticism partially mediates the associations between Restraint, body dissatisfaction, and binge eating [76]. The association of Restraint with higher eating disordered attitudes is not always expressed in energy restriction; evidence suggests that in female students, Restraint resulted in sub-optimal energy consumption relative to physiological need as a result of higher physical activity rather than energy restriction [28].…”