On the basis of predictions from social comparison theory (L. Festinger, 1954) and informed by findings from the social comparison and eating disorder literatures, hypotheses were tested regarding the social comparison behaviors of women with eating disorder symptoms and their asymptomatic peers. Results indicated differentiating social-cognitive…

This paper is located in a larger study of girls' empowerment within the everyday context of school cultures. While much feminist research has focused on the "perils" of feminine adolescence, we are interested in how girls successfully navigate the transition from girlhood to adult womanhood. Thus the sample for this paper includes girls who…

Objective: Drawing from stress-vulnerability and trauma theory (e.g., Rorty & Yager, 1996), this paper presents a model of associations among child emotional abuse (CEA), alexithymia, general distress (GD), and disordered eating (DE). This study extended previous research on psychological outcomes of child physical and sexual abuse to explore…

This paper presents a detailed theoretical discussion of destructive narcissism in relation to Freud and Rosenfeld and later theorists. In destructive narcissism, the destructiveness is itself idealised and overrides "the vital functions which serve the purpose of self-preservation" (Freud, S., 1914, "On narcissism" S.E. 14: 87)--a feature which…

The purpose of this research was to examine and extend portions of the sociocultural model of bulimia nervosa (Stice, E. (1994). Review of the evidence for a sociocultural model of bulimia nervosa and an exploration of the mechanisms of action. "Clinical Psychology Review," 14, 633-661; Stice, E., & Agras, W. S. (1998). Predicting onset and…

Eating disorders are thought to occur less among African-American women than among women of other ethnic groups. Ninety-one clinicians read 1 of 3 passages (differing only with regards to the girl's race: African-American, Caucasian, or Hispanic) describing disturbed eating patterns of a fictional character named Mary. Participants were then asked…

Previous research on gender differences between males and females on the risk factors leading to disordered eating is sparse, especially on males and eating disorders using attachment theory. This study examined the relationship between adult attachment style and disordered eating in men and women. Secure attachment scores were significantly…

Examines the role that valuing physical appearance, striving for success in multiple roles, and insecure parental attachment are related to eating disorder symptoms. Responses from 156 undergraduate women support the relationship between the Super Woman model (desire to achieve perfection in multiple and often contradictory roles) and the presence…

This article discusses nutrition problems in people with intellectual disabilities, the need for nutrition risk screening, and the development of the Nutrition and Swallowing Checklist in New South Wales. The checklist ensures carer involvement in identifying risks and an interdisciplinary approach to the assessment and management of nutrition and…

Examines the uniformity myth surrounding adult children of alcoholics by exploring differences among nonclinical college females with alcoholic fathers, alcoholic mothers, and no alcoholic parents. Results indicate no group differences in eating-disorder symptomatology. Differences were found in terms of distress arising from interpersonal…

Examines personality correlates (obsessiveness, dependency, self-directed hostility and assertiveness) of anorexic symptomatology. Analysis demonstrates that only obsessiveness and emotional reliance on another person were related to anorexic symptoms. Findings are discussed in relation to other researchers' conceptions of the anorexic…

Shows that, for women, the use of thinness-depicting and thinness-promoting (TDP) media predicted disordered-eating symptomatology, drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and ineffectiveness. Shows that TDP media use predicted men's endorsement of personal thinness and dieting and select attitudes in favor of thinness and dieting for women.…

University counseling centers have reported an increase in the number of eating-disordered clients at a time when counseling resources have been shrinking. This article describes a group counseling program designed to meet the varied needs of eating-disordered clients and manage the demand for services more efficiently. (Author/BF)

Investigated young girls' eating behavior, body satisfaction, weight management, and the cues taken from family, peers, and magazines. Found that a majority received a message from fashion magazines and peers or family that being slender is important and attainable through dieting, indicating that some young girls live under intense weight and…

A teacher/counselor of gifted students explains some of the difficulties encountered by at-risk, high-ability, young people. Describes discussion groups held for these students and suggests that gifted-education teachers and school counselors work together to provide advocacy for gifted students. (MKA)