Self-deceptive enhancement and family environment: possible protective factors against internalization of the thin ideal

Family experience with eating disorders scale: a systematic way to engage the family in treatment

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to measure congruence in perceptions of family dynamics in eating-disordered adolescents and their parents.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A pilot sample of 35 matched parent-child dyads completed either the Parent Version or the newly modified Client Version of the Family Experience with Eating Disorders Scale (FEEDS).

FINDINGS

Differences between parent and child perceptions on subscale totals were not demonstrated, but statistically significant differences on select items were shown.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The FEEDS offers a systematic way to explore differences and commonalities in perception among family members and to engage the family in treatment.

Social connectedness, conformity, and internalization of societal standards of attractiveness

Internalization of societal standards of attractiveness is known to play a role in the development of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, and researchers are now working toward identifying factors that influence the internalization of those societal standards. The present study examined to what extent social connectedness and conformity were related to internalization. Female college students (n=300) completed measures of social connectedness, conformity, and internalization, as well as measures of body image concerns, dietary restraint, and bulimic symptoms. Path analysis showed that social connectedness was negatively related to conformity, and that conformity was positively related to internalization. Consistent with past research, internalization predicted body image concerns and dietary restraint, which in turn predicted bulimic symptoms. Conformity appears to be a risk factor for the internalization of societal standards of attractiveness, and could be targeted in efforts to reduce internalization, negative body image, and disordered eating.