Int J Eat Disord. 1995 Dec;18(4):317-26.

Perfectionism traits and perfectionistic self-presentation in eating disorder attitudes, characteristics, and symptoms.

Author information

1: Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between several dimensions of perfectionism and measures of eating disorder symptoms, body image, and appearance self-esteem in college students.

METHOD:

A sample of 81 female university students completed the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, the Eating Attitudes Test, the Bulimia Test, the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire, and two measures of self-esteem.

RESULTS:

It was found that whereas self-oriented perfectionism was related only to anorexic symptoms, the social facets of perfectionism, especially socially prescribed perfectionism and the perfectionistic self-presentation dimensions, were related to eating disorder symptoms as well as body image avoidance and self-esteem.

DISCUSSION:

The findings support the usefulness of differentiating personal and interpersonal dimensions of perfectionism as well as trait versus self-presentational aspects of perfectionism in investigating personality and attitudes and behaviors related to eating disorders.