Disordered eating behaviors, perfectionism and perseverative negative thinking–Study in a clinical sample

Abstract

IntroductionIn a recent study developed with a community sample, we have found that although PNT mediated the relationship between perfectionist cognitions and bulimic behavior, the effect of perfectionism on other disordered eating dimensions, such as diet, was independent of the PNT levels (Monteiro et al., 2015).ObjectiveTo investigate if PNT mediates the relationship between perfectionism and disordered eating behaviors in a clinical sample.MethodsFifty-two patients with eating disorders/ED (mean age = 22.54 ± 7.637; mean BMI = 20.07 ± 4.192; 14.5% Anorexia Nervosa cases; 7.8% Bulimia Nervosa and 9.0% EDNOS) were assessed with the ED section of the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies and fill in the Portuguese validated versions of Eating Attitudes Test/EAT-25 (to evaluate Bulimic behaviors/BB, Diet and Social pressure to eat), Multidimensional Perfectionism Scales (to evaluate perfectionism composite dimensions Evaluative Concerns/EC and Perfectionistic Strivings/PS) and Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire/PTQ-15 (to evaluate Repetitive Thought/RT, Cognitive interference and unproductiveness/CIU). Only variables significantly correlated with the outcomes (EAT-25_Total and its dimensions) were entered in the regression models. Mediation analyses using Preacher and Hayes bootstrapping methodology were performed.ResultsEC, PS, CIU and RT were significant predictors of EAT_Total. PA, CIU and PR were significant predictors of BB. EC and PS were significant predictors of Diet. CIU partially mediated the relationship between EC and EAT_Total (95% CI = 0.0025–0.3296) and between EC and BB (95% CI = 0.0037–0.1877).ConclusionAlso in a clinical sample, CII, the most pernicious dimension of PNT, mediates the relationship between perfectionism and disordered eating behavior, particularly bulimic behavior; diet is predicted by perfectionism independently of PNT.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.