The eating disorders NOS diagnostic profile among college women.
The authors examined a proposed profile of eating-related behaviors, associated features, developmental issues, and help-seeking behavior among college women, using an eating disorder response program. The most common symptom scenario was a pattern of regular binge eating, together with daily exercise and occasional purging. The most common associated features were distressing or dysfunctional overconcern about body image and self-esteem, usually with day-to-day stress and intermittent depression. The women who fit this pattern also presented developmental issues of perfectionism, conflictual relationships with parents, and struggles for independence; and they tended to be ambivalent about seeking services. Implications for practice, including the need to develop a framework for eating disorder responses on campus that includes preventive programs and developmental interventions to target emerging and moderate concerns are discussed; limitations and the preliminary nature of the findings are explicated.
Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling, Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. aschwitz@odu.edu
A M
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Schwitzer
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Rodriguez
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Thomas
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Salimi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000855:Anorexia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013333:Student Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*