Personality characteristics of bulimic and non-eating-disordered female controls: A cognitive behavioral perspective

Abstract

Although studies have examined the personality characteristics of bulimic individuals, these studies have been few and characterized by methodological shortcomings. To address these difficulties, this study compared 20 bulimic women and 20 non-eating-disordered normal weight controls on a variety of standardized psychological questionnaires. A comprehensive cognitive behavioral model of bulimia (Mizes, 1985) was evaluated by this comparison. Results showed that bulimic individuals showed significantly more pathological personality characteristics than control subjects. In specific, bulimics showed evidence of significant anxiety, depression, restrictive eating standards, low self-efficacy for dieting, distorted eating-related attitudes (i.e., weight as basis of self-esteem, striving for perfect self-control), self-control deficits, generalized irrational thinking styles (particularly helplessness and demand for approval), and body image distortion. A trend was found suggesting discomfort in social situations. Contrary to expectations, assertion deficits and concerns about sexual functioning were not found.