AN EXPLORATION OF BULIMIA'S RELATIONSHIP TO PERCEPTIONS OF FAMILY STRUCTURE AND SELF IN COLLEGE WOMEN STUDENTS

CAROL ANN ARNER, Purdue University

Abstract

This study explored a possible relationship between the incidence of bulimia and the presence of a "critical family structure." This family structure was one in which the father was a college educated business or professional person and the mother was a housewife or nonprofessional career employee. Subjects for the study were 312 first-year women students in a small, private liberal arts college. A questionnaire regarding family background and eating behavior was sent to all first-year women students. DSM-III diagnostic criteria for bulimia were used to assess incidence of bulimia among the 179 completed questionnaires. Family background information from questionnaires was compiled to determine individuals' membership in the critical family structure. A chi-square test was performed on the number of bulimics by the number of critical structure families. Thirty-nine willing individuals from among questionnaire respondents who met criteria for bulimia and/or critical family structure participated in structured interviews designed to assess perceptions of family and self. These interviewees included 24 bulimics and 15 nonbulimics. Tapes of interviews were evaluated by trained raters for the presence of the following variables: enmeshment, parental overprotectiveness, high parental expectations, and self-descriptions of fear and inadequacy. Results of the questionnaire indicated that 32 (17.9 per cent) respondents met criteria for bulimia. Only 28 (15.6 per cent) respondents reported no symptom of bulimia. Return rate for the questionnaire was 57.4 per cent. Eighty individuals were found to be from critical structure families. Results of the chi-square test showed a significant relationship between incidence of bulimia and membership in the critical family structure. Results of the interviews showed evidence of possible enmeshment with mothers among bulimics. No evidence was found for perceptions of parental overprotectiveness. Perceptions of high parental expectations among bulimics were found in the areas of career, academic and social success. Among bulimics interviewed, expectations for academic and career success were reported more frequently from fathers while expectations for social success were reported more frequently from mothers. Evidence was found for feelings of inadequacy among bulimics.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Academic guidance counseling

COinS