Date of Award

1996

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Psychology

Keywords

Psychology, Clinical.

Supervisor

Thomas, Cheryl,

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

Previous literature indicates that individuals may differ in their attitudes about anorexic and bulimic behaviour. However, no standard measures exist to assess attitudes toward eating disorders. Thus, a 56-item Likert scale was developed and administered to 182 undergraduate students (109 women, 73 men; mean age 21 years). A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed four subscales relating to: desirability of anorexic and bulimic behaviours; health concerns; weight control; and level of interpersonal discomfort. Based upon the PCA and an item analysis, a 42-item scale was developed. Participants were also asked to complete the following measures: (1) a 31-item questionnaire, designed to assess accuracy of knowledge about eating disorders (Price, Desmont, Price, & Mossing, 1990); and (2) an ordinal measure, designed to assess proximity of experience with anorexia, bulimia, and subclinical eating disorders. On the proximity measure, 5.5% of respondents indicated that they had suffered from anorexia, while 4.9% reported having suffered from bulimia. Women were found to be more knowledgeable about eating disorders, and to have had more experience with subclinical eating disorders than men. A multiple regression analysis was performed, and it was found that attitudes toward anorexia and bulimia could be predicted from knowledge about eating disorders and proximity of experience with anorexia. Implications for future educational efforts aimed at prevention of eating disorders are discussed.Dept. of Psychology. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1996 .H46. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 37-01, page: 0365. Adviser: Cheryl Thomas. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1996.

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