Self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism in the Eating Disorder Inventory Perfectionism subscale.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the existence and the importance of the distinction between self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism in the Eating Disorder Inventory Perfectionism subscale (EDI-P).


METHODS
Trait perfectionism, measured by the EDI-P, and eating disorder symptoms, measured by the 26-item Eating Attitudes Test, were examined in 220 university students (110 women and 110 men) belonging to a campus-based fitness facility.


RESULTS
Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that, for both genders, the EDI-P is best represented by a multidimensional factor structure with three self-oriented perfectionism items (EDI-SOP) and three socially prescribed perfectionism items (EDI-SPP). Structural equation modeling demonstrated that, for both genders, EDI-SOP and EDI-SPP are related independently to eating disorder symptoms. Moderational analysis indicated that, for women, the impact of EDI-SOP on eating disorder symptoms is dependent on the level of EDI-SPP.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that future research should acknowledge the empirical and theoretical implications of having EDI-SOP and EDI-SPP in the EDI-P. It is cautioned that EDI-SOP and EDI-SPP are a partial representation of an already published multidimensional model of trait perfectionism.
Sherry
Simon B
SB
Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4.
Hewitt
Paul L
PL
Besser
Avi
A
McGee
Brandy J
BJ
Flett
Gordon L
GL
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D012928:Social Desirability; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires