Poor social comparison and the tendency to submissive behavior in anorexia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to confirm an association between low social rank (SR) and anorexia nervosa (AN), and to test the hypotheses that low SR is (a) present after recovery from the illness, (b) mediates an association between increased childhood interpersonal adversity (CIA) and AN.


METHODS
Participants were 18 women with active AN, 13 recovered women, and 16 healthy controls. General and specific psychopathology, childhood adversity, and indices of SR were assessed using self-report measures.


RESULTS
Low SR was observed in both the active and the recovered AN groups and was a significant mediator in the relationship between CIA and AN status.


CONCLUSIONS
CIA may contribute to the risk of developing AN via its impact on the development of low SR. The latter may be a shared risk factor for AN and affective disorder, and could be a useful therapeutic target.
Connan
Frances
F
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. frances.connan@nhs.net
Troop
Nick
N
Landau
Sabine
S
Campbell
Iain C
IC
Treasure
Janet
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D004291:Dominance-Subordination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006608:Hierarchy, Social; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012659:Semantic Differential; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000639:Amitriptyline; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors