Date of Submission

2012

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Robert A DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP, Chair, Department of Psychology

First Advisor

Dr Stephen Poteau, Chairperson

Second Advisor

Dr Petra Kottsieper, PhD

Third Advisor

Dr Lisa Mimmo Banister

Abstract

The goal of this study was to better understand the relationships between psychological variables (i.e., interpersonal problems, affective problems, and ineffectiveness) and factors (i.e., previous hospitalizations, self-harm, and length of stay) related to disordered eating. A set of psychological variables and ED-related symptoms from the EDI-3 were examined within an inpatient eating disorder treatment center. Data were analyzed from an existing dataset consisting of 1,331 female participants, ranging in age from 14-65. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to test the hypothesis that the independent variables would predict ED-related symptoms (i.e., bulimia, body dissatisfaction, and drive for thinness). Regression models for bulimia and body dissatisfaction were significant, however, the regression model explained only 5% of the variance in bulimia and only 1% of the variance in body dissatisfaction. The regression model was not significant for drive for thinness. There were also findings that were inconsistent with the hypotheses. Though the research demonstrated a relationship between affective problems with bulimia and body dissatisfaction, the results demonstrated weak and inverse relationships between them (as affective problems increased, bulimia and body dissatisfaction decreased and as affective problems decreased, bulimia and body dissatisfaction increased). Based on these results, future research is necessary to better understand these relationships and to determine other potential predictors and risk factors of eating pathology.

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