Perfectionism and eating attitudes in Portuguese students: a longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of perfectionism in the development of disordered eating behaviours.


METHODS
382 female university students completed the Hewitt & Flett MPS and the EAT-40 at baseline, and 1 year after (T1) and 206 2 years later (T2).


RESULTS
Perfectionism at baseline was significantly associated with long-term abnormal eating attitudes/behaviours. Self-Oriented Perfectionism (SOP) and Socially Prescribed Perfectionism (SPP) were significant predictors of disordered eating behaviours. Regression analysis revealed that SOP at baseline was predictive of Diet Concerns and overall eating disturbance (EAT total score), at T1 and T2. SPP was a significant predictor of Social Pressure to Eat at T1 and T2 and of Bulimic Behaviours only at T1.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings contribute to a more clear understanding of the association between perfectionism and eating disorders. SOP and SPP were prospectively associated with abnormal eating attitudes/behaviours and SOP was found to be predictive of diet concerns and overall eating disturbance.
Soares
Maria João
MJ
Instituto de Psicologia Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. msoares@fmed.uc.pt
Macedo
António
A
Carvalho Bos
Sandra
S
Marques
Mariana
M
Maia
Berta
B
Pereira
Ana Telma
AT
Gomes
Ana
A
Valente
José
J
Pato
Michele
M
Azevedo
Maria Helena
MH
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011174:Portugal; D055815:Young Adult