Abstract
Literature on eating disorders acknowledges the importance family influences have on its development. To further investigate familial influences, the current study examines the relationship between disordered eating habits and attitudes and familial factors, including family mealtime frequency, parental weight teasing and criticism, and parental habits and attitudes towards dieting and weight. Data were collected through a questionnaire that included questions from the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire and the Schutte Self-Report Emotion Intelligence Test. The findings reveal that parental weight teasing and criticism and unhealthier parental habits and attitudes towards dieting and weight positively correlate with greater disordered eating habits and attitudes of both men and women. In contrast, family mealtime frequency and emotional intelligence act as protective factors, even after controlling for Body Mass Index and emotional intelligence. Moreover, family variables appear to have stronger influences on the disordered eating habits and attitudes of females than males due to societal expectations.
Advisor
Clayton, Susan
Department
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Lau, Joelle, "Parents, is it your Fault? Effects of Familial Influences on the Development of Disordered Eating Habits and Attitudes" (2021). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 9445.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/9445
Disciplines
Clinical Psychology
Keywords
Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating Habits and Attitudes, Familial Influences
Publication Date
2021
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2021 Joelle Lau