Dimensions of control in bulimia and anorexia nervosa: Internal control, desire for control, or fear of losing self-control?

Abstract

In a multidimensional investigation of issues of control in eating disorders, 52 women with bulimia or anorexia nervosa and 57 comparison women were surveyed regarding their perceptions of control. As predicted, the women with eating disorders reported lower internal control than comparison women but, contrary to prediction, reported lower desire for control. They also reported much higher fear of losing self-control, which emerged as the most significant predictor of eating disorder symptomology for both eating disordered and comparison women. Bulimic and anorexic women did not differ significantly from each other on any of these measures of control. Further research is recommended on the relevance of fear of losing self-control to the treatment and prevention of eating disorders.