How self-esteem relates to tendencies toward eating disorders and weight control behaviors in 12-14 year old males and females.

Abstract

This study sought to examine the relationship between the Index of Self-Esteem and the Eating Disorder Inventory. It was composed of 112 subjects (47 male and 65 female) between the ages of 12 and 14 years of age. Both the Index of Self-Esteem and the Eating Disorder Inventory were administered to each subject in a group setting. Both instruments were scored according to specific instructions. The scores from the Index of Self-Esteem and the eight subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory were correlated employing a Pearson product-moment correlation. The Index of self-Esteem correlated positively with the Drive for Thinness subscale of the Eating Disorder Inventory at .430; Ineffectiveness subscale, .309; Body Dissatisfaction subscale, .562; Interpersonal Distrust subscale, .403; and Interoceptive Awareness subscale, .365. Scores for males and females on the Index of Self-Esteem and Drive for Thinness, Ineffectiveness, Body Dissatisfaction and Interoceptive Awareness subscales of the EDI were found to differ significantly. It was concluded that there is some relationship between self-esteem and how an individual responds to questions designed to measure characteristics common to those with eating disorders. Clinically this could be of importance in the determination of who is more likely to develop an eating disorder. This could be done before the symptoms have manifested.