An examination of ethnic variations in perfectionism and interpersonal influences as predictors of eating disturbances: A look at Asian and European American females.

Abstract

This study assessed ethnic variations in perfectionism, interpersonal influences, and eating disturbances, namely, drive for thinness and bulimic symptoms, among 139 Asian American and 159 European American females (Mage 19.55 years). Results of comparative analyses indicated significant normative differences in perfectionism. Specifically, Asian American females, compared with European American females, reported greater parental expectations and parental criticism. Of note, when we assessed the usefulness of a prediction model that included perfectionism and interpersonal influences, perfectionism failed to account for significant variance in drive for thinness in Asian American females. Alternatively, interpersonal influences were found to account for robust amounts of unique variance in eating disturbances across both Asian and European American females. Some implications of the present findings for understanding ethnic differences in predictors of eating disturbances are discussed.