Perfectionism and Eating Disorders

Wade, Tracey D.; O’Shea, Anne E.; Shafran, Roz

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-18582-8_9

Cited by 25 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…Furthermore, this study is the first, of which we are aware, to assess cognitions in an ED sample specifically around mealtime. Our findings build on research implicating fears of weight gain as core to ED psychopathology (Levinson et al, 2017; Fairburn, Cooper, Doll, & Davies, 2005; Murray et al, 2016) and research finding that perfectionism is elevated in individuals diagnosed with an ED (e.g., Bardone-Cone et al, 2007; Wade, O'Shea, & Shafran, 2016). However, this data extends these findings to focus specifically on fears of weight gain and perfectionistic thoughts occurring during or shortly after mealtime .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Meal and snack-time eating disorder cognitions predict eating disorder behaviors and vice versa in a treatment seeking sample: A mobile technology based ecological momentary assessment study

Levinson

Sala

Fewell

et al. 2018

Behaviour Research and Therapy

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Individuals with eating disorders experience high anxiety when eating, which may contribute to the high relapse rates seen in the eating disorders. However, it is unknown if specific cognitions associated with such anxiety (e.g., fears of gaining weight) may lead to engagement in eating disorder behaviors (e.g., weighing oneself). Participants (N = 66) recently treated at a residential eating disorder facility and diagnosed with an eating disorder (primarily anorexia nervosa; n = 40; 60.6%) utilized a mobile application to answer questions about mealtime cognitions, anxiety, and eating disorder behaviors four times a day for one week. Hierarchical linear models using cross-lag analyses identified that there were quasi-causal (and sometimes reciprocal) within-person relationships between specific eating disorder cognitions and subsequent eating disorder behaviors. These cognitions predicted higher anxiety during the next meal and eating disorder pathology at one-month follow-up. Interventions personalized to target these specific cognitions in real time might reduce eating disorder relapse.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Meal and snack-time eating disorder cognitions predict eating disorder behaviors and vice versa in a treatment seeking sample: A mobile technology based ecological momentary assessment study

Levinson

Sala

Fewell

et al. 2018

Behaviour Research and Therapy

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“…Over the past 30 years, research has produced converging evidence that perfectionism is positively related to eating disorder symptoms [1,2]. Perfectionism is a personality disposition characterized by a striving for perfection that is expressed in exceedingly high standards of performance accompanied by self-criticism and concerns over negative evaluations by others [3][4][5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Numerous studies have investigated the relations of self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism and disordered eating (see [1,2] for comprehensive reviews). Overall the findings suggest that both forms of perfectionism are positively related to eating disorder symptoms [1,[7][8][9][10], but may show different relations with different groups of eating disorder symptoms [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perfectionism and eating disorder symptoms in female university students: the central role of perfectionistic self-presentation

et al. 2016

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symptoms, but so far no study has examined whether perfectionistic self-presentation can explain these relations or whether the relations are the same for different eating disorder symptom groups. MethodsA sample of 393 female university students completed self-report measures of perfectionism (selforiented perfectionism, socially prescribed perfectionism), perfectionistic self-presentation (perfectionistic self-promotion, nondisplay of imperfection, nondisclosure of imperfection), and three eating disorder symptom groups (dieting, bulimia, oral control). In addition, students reported their weight and height so their body mass index (BMI) could be computed. ResultsResults of multiple regression analyses controlling for BMI indicated that socially prescribed perfectionism positively predicted all three symptom groups, whereas self-oriented perfectionism positively predicted dieting only. Moreover, perfectionistic self-presentation explained the positive relations that perfectionism showed with dieting and oral control, but not with bulimia.Further analyses indicated that all three aspects of perfectionistic self-presentation positively predicted dieting, whereas only nondisclosure of imperfection positively predicted bulimia and oral control. Overall, perfectionistic self-presentation explained 10.4-23.5% of variance in eating disorder symptoms, whereas perfectionism explained 7.9-12.1%. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that perfectionistic self-presentation explains why perfectionistic women show higher levels of eating disorder symptoms, particularly dieting. Thus perfectionistic selfpresentation appears to play a central role in the relations of perfectionism and disordered eating and may warrant closer attention in theory, research, and treatment of eating and weight disorders.

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“…The majority of this sample was in the normal range for BMI (63.68%), with 19.55% overweight, 5.58% obese, and 11.17% underweight. This finding is interesting, as existing research has shown underweight women are more likely to have poorer psychological health than women in the normal weight range (Ali & Lindström, 2006), and lower BMI may be associated with perfectionism (Wade, O'Shea, & Shafran, 2016). The combined prevalence of overweight and obese participants (25.13%) was much lower than the 2011-2012 rates of overweight and obese Australians aged 18 and over (62.18%;Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…In this sample those with lower BMI were not more likely to report depression symptoms. This finding is interesting, as existing research has shown underweight women are more likely to have poorer psychological health than women in the normal weight range (Ali & Lindström, 2006), and lower BMI may be associated with perfectionism (Wade, O'Shea, & Shafran, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

The psychological distress and physical health of Australian psychology honours students

Jarrad

Dry

Semmler

et al. 2019

Australian Psychologist

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Objective: To measure psychological and physical health of psychology students during their Honours year of study, in the context of this being perceived as a high stake, "make-or-break" degree program in Australia. Method: Psychology honours students from 9 universities (N = 179) completed an online survey that included measures of depression, anxiety and stress, physical activity, drug and alcohol use, self-rated health status, future study intentions and desired final grade for the degree. Data were collected in the first semester of the academic year. Results: The sample was overall, high on perceived physical health, with around 74.85% being at least minimally active. Around one quarter were overweight or obese. The majority were non-smokers, and did not regularly misuse drugs or alcohol, although binge drinking was reported by the majority. The majority planned to enter further study to qualify as a registered psychologist. Depression, anxiety, and stress were elevated in the sample, when compared with other comparative reference groups. Those with higher levels of perceived physical health and those aiming for a higher desired final grade were less likely to show elevated scores on psychological distress measures. Conclusions: This study is consistent with published and unpublished data showing that psychological distress levels in this cohort are high. These findings show that this is evident across universities, and that distress is apparent early in the academic year. Educators and the profession have a duty of care and a responsibility to reflect upon the student experience. K E Y W O R D Shonours, make-or-break, mental health, physical health, psychology education, tertiary students

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Perfectionism and Eating Disorders

Cited by 25 publications

References 82 publications

Meal and snack-time eating disorder cognitions predict eating disorder behaviors and vice versa in a treatment seeking sample: A mobile technology based ecological momentary assessment study

Meal and snack-time eating disorder cognitions predict eating disorder behaviors and vice versa in a treatment seeking sample: A mobile technology based ecological momentary assessment study

Perfectionism and eating disorder symptoms in female university students: the central role of perfectionistic self-presentation

The psychological distress and physical health of Australian psychology honours students

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