Mediators between perfectionism and eating disorder psychopathology: shape and weight overvaluation and conditional goal-setting.
OBJECTIVE
To examine mediators of the relationship between perfectionism and eating disorder (ED) psychopathology in a clinical sample.


METHODS
Participants were 201 women with a DSM-IV diagnosed ED consecutively referred to a specialist outpatient treatment clinic. Participants completed measures of perfectionism, ED psychopathology, shape and weight overvaluation, and conditional goal-setting (CGS).


RESULTS
Evaluation of a multivariate mediator model using Baron and Kenny's (1986) four-step mediation methodology showed that shape and weight overvaluation and CGS significantly and uniquely mediated the relation between self-oriented perfectionism (SOP) and restraint, eating concern, shape concern, and weight concern. The mediator model furthered the proportion of explained variance in outcomes beyond the direct effects model by 28-49%.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings support the conclusion that the relationship between SOP and ED psychopathology in women with a clinically diagnosed ED is mediated by shape and weight overvaluation and CGS.
Watson
Hunna J
HJ
Centre for Clinical Interventions, 223 James St, Northbridge, Western Australia, Australia. hunna.watson@health.wa.gov.au
Raykos
Bronwyn C
BC
Street
Helen
H
Fursland
Anthea
A
Nathan
Paula R
PR
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires