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Eating problems and interpersonal functioning among several groups of women
Author(s) -
O'Mahony John F.,
Hollwey Sarah
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(199505)51:3<345::aid-jclp2270510305>3.0.co;2-a
Subject(s) - psychology , neuroticism , interpersonal communication , psychosocial , interpersonal relationship , eating disorders , association (psychology) , personality , athletes , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , psychotherapist , medicine , physical therapy
This paper examines the relationship between eating disorders and problems in interpersonal functioning. Questionnaires that measure eating problems, interpersonal adjustment, and general neuroticism were completed by several groups of women: anorexic patients, persons whose interests or occupations involved a concern about bodily shape or condition (dancers, models, and athletes), and members of the general public. A substantial and significant relationship was found between eating symptomatology and interpersonal functioning in all groups. However, this association survived only in the anorexic patient group when general neuroticism was partialled out. We take this to imply that psychosocial difficulties are unlikely to play a strong role in the initial development of eating problems.