Anorexia nervosa from a socially contextual perspective: variables of vulnerability in a university population.

This study explored the vulnerability of university women who were symptomatic and asymptomatic of anorexia nervosa to cultural messages that encourage anorexic behavior. Women's perceived locus of control, satisfaction with their body shape, impressions of their mothers' lives, and body-image perceptions of women from whom modeling cues are taken were identified as potential variables to explain culturally prescribed vulnerability. It was hypothesized that: (a) Symptomatic women will describe a more negative impression of their mothers' lives than asymptomatic women; (b) symptomatic women will be more oriented to an external locus of control than asymptomatic women; (c) symptomatic women will be less satisfied with their body shape than asymptomatic women; and (d) symptomatic women will estimate the body image of a female media model as thinner and weighing less than do asymptomatic women. The sample consisted of 120 university women. Of this sample, 40 women were categorized as symptomatic of anorexia nervosa and known through a treatment modality to engage in anorexic behaviors; 40 women were categorized as symptomatic of anorexia but not known through a treatment modality; and 40 women were categorized as asymptomatic. Data were collected with the Eating Attitude Test (EAT) to screen for symptoms of anorexia, the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale (I-E), and the Body Satisfaction Questionnaire (BSQ). In addition, informants responded to questions about their evaluations of the body of a female model pictured in an advertisement, and questions regarding their impressions of their mothers' lives. Results suggested that symptomatic women compared to asymptomatic women described a more negative impression of their mothers' lives. Results also showed that symptomatic women compared to asymptomatic women were more oriented to an external locus of control and were less satisfied with their body shape. Results did not support the hypothesis that symptomatic women will estimate the body image of a female media model as thinner and weighing less than do asymptomatic women. Based on these findings, support for the premise that anorexia nervosa represents a woman's vulnerability to social influence is considered, and implications for theory development and clinical practice are set forth.