The Relationship Among Differentiation Perceived Stress Coping And Eating Disorders Characteristics Among Females

Author : Tammy Michelle Brown
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 272 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (11 download)

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Download or read book The Relationship Among Differentiation, Perceived Stress, Coping, and Eating Disorders Characteristics Among College Females written by Tammy Michelle Brown and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A number of behavioral and cognitive factors have been associated with the eating disorder characteristics of anorexia and bulimia among college females (Friedlander & Siegel, 1990; Thompson, Berg, & Shatford, 1987). Stress levels, perceived stress, and the use of avoidant coping styles have been found to be higher among women displaying eating disorder characterisitcs than women without eating disorder characteristics. Further, certain family dynamics have been hypothesized to decrease one's level of differentiation and play a predisposing role in the development of eating disorders (Minuchin Rossman, & Baker, 1978; Strober, 1981). Two conceptual models were used to predict the relationship among Bowen's construct of differentiation (Bowen, 1978), perceived stress, coping, and the characteristics of anorexia and bulimia. Structural modeling analysis with observed variables suggested a good fit to the sample data (CFI>.97) for Model 1a. Low levels of differentiation significantly predicted high levels of eating disorder characteristics through a direct path and through an indirect path. Low differentiation was related to high levels of perceived stress and low perceptions of coping ability; high levels of perceived stress were associated with low perceptions of coping ability; and low levels of perceived coping ability positively predicted eating disorder characteristics. Model 2a did not represent the sample data very well (CFI=.85). However, low differentiation significantly predicted high eating disorder characteristics through a direct path and an indirect path through perceived stress and coping styles. Specifically, low differentiation predicted high levels of perceived stress and high levels of non-adaptive coping styles. High levels of perceived stress continued to negatively predict an adaptive coping style and positively predict non-adaptive coping styles. Suppressive coping significantly mediated the relationship between differentiation and eating disorder characteristics, and a significant interaction was found that suggested high levels of reactive coping predicted high levels of eating disorder characteristics at low levels of differentiation. Explanations of the ubiquitous relationship between differentiation and eating disorder characteristics were discussed in terms of shared personality characteristics. Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders were also suggested that focus on the education of systematic problem-solving strategies and family intervention.