The relationship between self-discrepancies, eating disorder and depressive symptoms in women.

Journal article

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between generic self-discrepancies, eating disorder symptoms and depressive symptoms. METHOD: One hundred women volunteered to take part in the study. Each participant completed a self-discrepancy questionnaire and questionnaires related to eating disorder and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Eating disorder and depressive symptoms were correlated with a number of self-discrepancies. The relationship between eating disorder symptoms and actual: future discrepancies, but not that with actual: potential discrepancies, was explained by its link with appearance related stimuli. When the effects of depressive symptoms were controlled, only the relationship between actual: potential discrepancies and eating disorder symptom remained significant. DISCUSSION: At least one generic self-discrepancy is related specifically to eating disorder rather than depressive symptoms. Implications of the findings for theory and clinical practice are briefly discussed.

Authors: Sawdon, A; Cooper, M; Seabrook, R

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 207-212
• Publication date: 2007-05-01
• DOI: 10.1002/erv.739
• EISSN: 1099-0968
• ISSN: 1072-4133
• Language: English
• Keywords: Depression; Body Image; Aged; Self Concept; Middle Aged; Eating Disorders; Conflict (Psychology); Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans