Two-three-year stability and interrelations of bulimotypic indicators and depressive and anxious symptoms in middle-aged women.
OBJECTIVE
There is a paucity of research examining eating disorder symptoms among middle-aged women.


METHODS
This prospective study assessed the stability of bulimic symptoms and 5 associated variables (perfectionism, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, anxiety symptoms, and perceived weight status) in a sample of 150 middle-aged women (mean age = 45.19 years) over a 2.5-year time period. In addition, interrelations among bulimic, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were assessed.


RESULTS
Results suggested that all 6 bulimia-related variables remained significantly stable over 2.5 years. In addition, notable relations between Time 1 and Time 2 variables emerged (e.g., anxious symptoms at Time 1 predicted bulimic symptoms at Time 2).


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, the results indicate that bulimic symptoms exist in middle-aged women, and that they remain relatively stable over a 2.5-year time period. Clinical implications for middle-aged women with eating disorder symptoms are discussed.
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1270, USA.
Cicely A
CA
Procopio
Jill M
JM
Holm-Denoma
Kathryn H
KH
Gordon
Thomas E
TE
Joiner
D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001828:Body Image; D002032:Bulimia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept