The Perceptual and Affective Components of Body Image Disturbances in Anorexic and Normal Females

Abstract

The literature is inundated with studies reporting the body image experiences of anorexia nervosa patients and normal weight people. Such studies have not, however, yielded consistent results. The present study reinvestigated the issue bearing in mind the theoretical and methodological limitations of previous research. The perceptual and affective aspects of body image were investigated in 11 white, female anorexic patients and 51 white, female psychology undergraduate university students. A combination of the movable caliper technique and image-marking procedure was used to assess body size perception, that is, the perceptual aspect, and the Body Cathexis scale was used to assess body satisfaction, that is, the affective aspect. It was found that anorexic females overestimate the width of their waist and thighs significantly more than normal females ( p < 0.05) and that they have a significantly lower body satisfaction ( p < 0.001). It was concluded that the DSM IV criterion of a disturbance in body image has specific diagnostic relevance in anorexia nervosa.