Preoccupation with stereotyped sex role differences, ideal body weight, and stress in college women showing anorexic characteristics

Abstract

The relationships between two aspects of the female role, stress, and anorexic personality characteristics were explored in an effort to cast some light on the antecedents to anorexia nervosa. The degree to which college women were concerned with traditional sex-role distinctions and the extent to which they idealized a low body weight were considered as critical variables associated with being an adult woman in our society. Women sharing anorexic characteristics were less concerned about traditional stereotyping of behavior than controls and did not select a lower ideal body weight. However, both variables functioned as moderators of stress among women with anorexic personality characteristics. If the female with anorexic characteristics also displayed a concern with traditional sex-role differences or a lower ideal body weight, she was vulnerable to excessive stress. These effects were not apparent among control females. Parallel analysis of the sample based upon the presence or absence of bulimic characteristics failed to disclose any comparable trends.