Multidimensional Perfectionism and Relational Health in Clinical and Subclinical Eating Disturbances
Open Access
- Author:
- Patterson, Randy Ellen
- Graduate Program:
- Counseling Psychology
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- June 18, 2008
- Committee Members:
- Robert B Slaney, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Joyce K Illfelder Kay, Committee Member
Margaret Ann Lorah, Committee Member
Edgar Paul Yoder, Committee Member - Keywords:
- QRI
RHI
APS-R
relational health
perfectionism
eating disorders
CES-D
PSPS
perfectionistic self-presentation - Abstract:
- This study investigated multidimensional perfectionism, depression, and relational health and quality in women with clinical, subclinical, and without eating concerns. Perfectionism, affective instability, and interpersonal difficulties are identified as core features, or “maintaining mechanisms,” of the most chronic and treatment-resistant eating disorders (Fairburn et al., 2003). Goals of the study were to better understand if and how these variables differ across severity of eating disorder symptoms. It was predicted that the clinical group would have the highest perfectionism and depression scores and the lowest relational health scores, that the asymptomatic group would have the lowest perfectionism and depression scores and highest relational health scores, and that the subclinical group scores would fall between these groups. Two hundred and eight female college students and 38 women in treatment at an eating disorders clinic completed the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised, the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, the Quality of Relationships Inventory, the Relational Health Indices, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Two MANOVA were performed; one on the perfectionism and depression variables, and the second on the relational variables. Significant effects were found for both sets of variables, but only two variables, APS-R Discrepancy and Depression differentiated all 3 groups (clinical eating disorders, subclinical eating concerns, and asymptomatic) in the predicted directions. The strong link found between depression and APS-R Discrepancy in those with eating disturbances suggests that depression is an affective correlate to the cognitive processes of maladaptive perfectionism. Higher levels of perfectionistic self-presentation were linked with clinical eating disorders, but this interpersonally-directed dimension of perfectionism did not differentiate the subclinical and asymptomatic groups. Findings regarding relational health were significant, however, effect sizes were small. They suggest that the most severe eating disorder symptoms may be associated with less relational support, depth, authenticity and engagement.