The present study explored the validity of the continuum hypothesis of eating disorder and investigated the psychological and emotional characteristics to explain abnormal eating. 895 cases of 924 college women are included and three groups(normal eat...
The present study explored the validity of the continuum hypothesis of eating disorder and investigated the psychological and emotional characteristics to explain abnormal eating. 895 cases of 924 college women are included and three groups(normal eaters, restrained eaters, bulimic eaters, each groups n=46) were selected to test the emotional and psychological differences between groups. Scores on Anxiety, Anger, Drive for Thinness, and Bulimia increased in a linear fashion, supporting the continuum hypothesis of eating disorder. In contrast, scores on Depression, Body Dissatisfaction, and Interoceptive Awareness did not. The results support a 2-component model of the psychopathology of bulimia nervosa. Regression analysis showed that abnormal eating was influenced by Depression, Self-Esteem, Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, Body Dissatisfaction, and Perfectionism. Finally, the implications and the limitations of this study were discussed.