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- Title
Beliefs of women concerning causes and risk factors for bulimia nervosa.
- Authors
Mond, Jonathan M.; Hay, Phillipa J.; Rodgers, Bryan; Owen, Cathy; Beumont, Pierre J. V.
- Abstract
To examine the beliefs of women concerning causes and risk factors for eating-disordered behaviour. ‘Having low self-esteem’ was considered very likely to be a cause of BN by 75.0% of respondents, and the most likely cause by 40.5% of respondents. Other factors perceived as significant were ‘problems from childhood’, ‘portrayal of women in the media’, ‘being overweight as a child or adolescent’ and ‘day-to-day problems’, while genetic factors and preexisting psychological problems were perceived to be of minor significance. Most respondents believed that women aged under 25 years were at greatest risk of having or developing BN. Women's beliefs concerning causes and risk factors for BN are generally consistent with empirical evidence. However, information concerning the increased risk associated with pre-existing anxiety and affective disorders might usefully be included in prevention programs. Systematic investigation of the benefits of addressing individuals' beliefs concerning risk factors for eating disorders — as opposed to risk factors per se — would be of interest.
- Subjects
BULIMIA; WOMEN; ANOREXIA nervosa; EATING disorders; PATHOLOGICAL psychology; MENTAL health; DISEASE risk factors
- Publication
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2004, Vol 38, Issue 6, p463
- ISSN
0004-8674
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1080/j.1440-1614.2004.01384.x