Eating disorder symptomatology, self-construal, and dimensions of perfectionism in Chinese American women

Given all the mixed findings about the various factors that may contribute to the development of eating disordered symptomatology in Asian American women, researchers have been challenged to look more closely at the influence of cultural factors beyond the construct of acculturation. Attempts to understand the relationship between acculturation and eating disorders have yielded unsatisfactory results. This study made an attempt to examine more proximal culturally based variables and personality characteristics.; The purpose of this study was to examine the association between self-construal (independent and interdependent), dimensions of perfectionism (self-oriented and socially prescribed), and eating disorder symptomatology in Chinese American women between the ages of 18-30. This study aimed to extend the findings of Huang's (2000) study of eating disorder symptoms (weight concern, dieting/restrained eating, binge eating, and compensatory behaviors) rather than full syndromes (e.g. anorexia, bulimia) with a Chinese American sample rather than a mixed Asian American and Caucasian sample. Additionally, dimensions of perfectionism (self-oriented and socially prescribed), which were hypothesized to be influenced by acculturation status, were included as potential predictors of eating disorder symptomatology.; Dimensions of perfectionism were found to be predictive of some eating disorder symptoms (weight concern, compensatory behaviors) but not others (dieting/restrained eating, binge eating). Socially prescribed perfectionism was found to be significantly positively associated with weight concern, while self oriented perfectionism was found to be significantly positively associated with compensatory behaviors. There were no significant findings pertaining to the relationships between self-construal and eating disorder symptomatology.; This study highlights the utility of examining specific eating disorder symptoms rather than full-blown eating disorder syndromes included in the DSM-IV, as well as examining perfectionism as a multidimensional construct that influences specific eating disorder symptoms. Future research should continue to address the multifaceted constructs of eating disorder symptomatology, self-construal, and perfectionism.