"Detaching from food" : the relationship between disordered eating and styles of attachment within a multi-racial student sample.
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Date
2004
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Abstract
A growing body of research has explored the prevalence of eating disorder pathology within
the ethnically and culturally diverse South African context. The purpose of this study was to
examine the presence and severity of eating disorder symptoms within a multi-racial, female
student sample. In addition to this, the pathogenic role of the family was considered and
framed in terms of attachment theory. Thus, a secondary aim was to explore the relationship
between disordered eating and participants' membership to an attachment style and /or
dimension. A questionnaire survey was administered to a convenience sample of 127 first year, female, university students. The sample included 39 (30.71%) Black, 5 (3.94%) Coloured, 29 (22.83%) Indian and 54 (42.52%) White women. Levels of disordered eating were measured
by the Eating Disorder Inventory 1 (EDI 1). Attachment styles were determined by means of
the Close Relationship Questionnaire (CRQ) and attachment dimensions were calculated by
means of the Adult Attachment Scale (AAS).
It was found that Black students had higher mean scores on seven of the eight EDI 1 subscales
than their Indian and White peers. There were significant differences noted on the EDI
1 sub-scales of Bulimia (p < .01), Perfectionism (p < .05), and Interpersonal Distrust (p < .05). White participants scored highest on the Body Dissatisfaction sub-scale. A negative
relationship was indicated between the eight EDI 1 sub-scales and the secure attachment
dimension (Close). A positive relationship was found between the eight EDI sub-scales and
the two insecure attachment dimensions (Depend and Anxiety). Significant differences were found between the race groups in terms of the classification of participants into three
attachment styles /dimensions.
This research supports previous findings with regard to high levels of eating disordered
pathology among Black women. Furthermore, support of a relationship between disordered
eating and participants' attachment in close relationships was indicated. In particular, the
psychological struggles implicated in disordered eating such as feelings of inadequacy and
worthlessness, mistrust of others, and difficulty with emotions, were found to be significantly
associated with unhealthy or insecure attachment patterns that reflected difficulty with trust
and dependency in close relationships.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.
Keywords
Eating disorders--South Africa., Eating disorders--Cross-cultural studies., Women--Mental health., Eating disorders--Social aspects., Interpersonal relations., Attachment behaviour., Theses--Psychology.