Psychopathology in Sexually Abused and Non-Sexually Abused Eating Disordered Women

Abstract

Abstract The Prevalence of psychopathology was examined in sexually abused (SA) (n = 50) and non-sexually abused (NSA) (n = 83) eating disordered women. All women were administered a battery of personality and familial interaction measures including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI), Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale (FACES). Results showed the MCMI Schizotypal scale to be the best predictor of SA group membership. Other variables significantly associated with the SA group were (1) MCMI Avoidant scale, (2) MCMI Schizoid scale, (3) MCMI Passive-Aggressive scale, (4) MCMI Borderline scale, (5) CSEI, and (6) the Cohesion scale from the FACES. Implications for diagnosis and treatment, and directions for future research are discussed.