Hyperfeminity, gender-role discrepancy, and eating disorders in varying high school environments

Eating disorders affect 5 to 10 million females and 1 million males each year (national Eating Disorder Association, 2002). The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the gender-discrepancy theory and hyperfeminity theory in eating disorder development.; This study surveyed 262 female high school students from three different school emphasis (arts-focused, science-focused, and traditional setting). Students completed a demographic questionnaire, the EDI-II, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire, and Personal Attributes Questionnaire. The population in this study was unique in having higher EDI-II subscale scores in Body Dissatisfaction, Perfectionism, Interpersonal Distrust, Interoceptive Awareness and Maturity Fears as compared to sample populations. Additionally, the population in this study was ethnically diverse with 17.2% Asian American or Pacific Islander, 10.7% African American, 34.4% Hispanic or Latina, 0.8% East Indian, 0.8% Native American, 22.9 Caucasian, 3.4% Southeast Asian, and 9.9% as other.; The data was analyzed through a MANOVA to determine if there is a relationship between EDI-II subscale scores, gender identity, and school setting. Analyses of the data found gender discrepancy theory to predict eating disorder symptoms, while hyperfeminity theory did not. Furthermore, the school that a student attended did not affect their likelihood of eating disorder development or gender identity (hyperfeminity or gender discrepant). Additionally, self-esteem was not significantly different between school settings.; Additionally, post-hoc analyses found several correlations between EDI-II subscale scores and factors included in the demographic questionnaire. Correlations were found between GPA and EDI-II score of Perfectionism, past and present teasing and several EDI-II subscale scores, and self-esteem and EDI-II subscale scores.; This study found that several factors make persons more vulnerable to eating disorder development. Gender discrepancy appears to be a risk factor in eating disorder development while hyperfeminity does not. Additionally, the school environment does not appear to make one more or less vulnerable to eating disorder development nor does it appear that it occurs differently in varying high school environments.