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Interpersonal sensitivity, eating disorder symptoms, and eating/ thinness expectancies

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Abstract

This study examined social-emotional and cognitive factors in relation to eating disorder symptoms in 84 female undergraduates. Sensitivity to criticism and rejection-sensitivity related to each other and to appearance-related sensitivity. Although both interpersonal and appearance sensitivity related to a drive for thinness, appearance sensitivity had the stronger relationship. Interpersonal sensitivity was significantly correlated with expectancies that dieting and thinness lead to overgeneralized self-improvement, but not with eating expectancies. After controlling for body mass index, interpersonal sensitivity, and appearance sensitivity, dieting/thinness expectancies were related to drive for thinness, and expectancies that eating helps to manage negative affect were related to symptoms of bulimia. Findings are discussed in terms of the potential role that interpersonal sensitivity and eating-related expectancies may play in the development and maintenance of eating disorders, as well as intervention approaches.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of School Psychology, Alfred University, Saxon Drive, 14802, Alfred, NY

    Jana G. Atlas Ph.D.

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  1. Jana G. Atlas Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Jana G. Atlas Ph.D..

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Portion of this paper were presented at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL, May 2000.

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Atlas, J.G. Interpersonal sensitivity, eating disorder symptoms, and eating/ thinness expectancies. Curr Psychol 22, 368–378 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-004-1041-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-004-1041-y

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