Chapter 8 Current College Environments:

Abstract

For almost two decades, there has been increased awareness about the high incidence and prevalence of bulimia, primarily among women, and in particular among women college students. This article focuses on current college environments in order to identify factors present therein which might facilitate and foster bulimia in vulnerable students. These factors include finances and employment, freshman and senior transitions, the physical ambience and structure, relationships with peers and faculty, the academic arena, availablity or lack of support services and resources and model prevention programs. Underlying stresses include women's sex-role socialization together with the vulnerable individuals' personality characteristics.