Personality and psychological factors as predictors of disordered eating among female collegiate athletes.
This article examined the relationship of perfectionism, psychological well-being (self-esteem and optimism), reasons for exercising and appearance orientation to eating disorder classification among 204 female collegiate athletes. Multivariate analyses showed that only self-esteem, exercising to improve appearance and be more attractive, and appearance orientation differentiated significantly between the symptomatic/eating disordered athletes and those who were asymptomatic. No differences existed between the two groups of athletes on perfectionism, optimism, or exercising for fitness/health. For athletes, self-esteem, appearance orientation and exercising to be attractive and improve appearance were most important for understanding their level of disordered eating.
Petrie
Trent A
TA
Department of Psychology, P.O. Box 311280, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76203, USA. petriet@unt.edu
Greenleaf
Christy
C
Reel
Justine
J
Carter
Jennifer
J
D001290:Attitude; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D010551:Personality; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities