Bulimia Nervosa: A Comparative Study of Purging and Non-Purging Subtypes
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Authors
Chambliss, Amy Elizabeth
Issue Date
2001
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
A quasi-experimental comparative design was used to compare the differences between bulimic non-purgers (n=23), bulimic purgers (n=53), and anorexic binge-eating/purgers (n=20) given mean scores on the MCMI-III and the EDI-2. Participants responded to the researcher's advertisement posted on two eating disorder sites on the World Wide Web. Testing packets, which included the EDI-2 Symptom Checklist, a demographic and weight history inventory, the MCMI-III, and the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2), were mailed to participants. Participants were placed into one of three eating disorder groups, given their scores on the EDI-2 Symptom Checklist and the researcher's supplemental symptom checklist. The three groups did not differ regarding demographic or weight history variables. Participants had a mean age of 27 years (SD=8.0). A one-way Multiple Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was calculated, examining the effect of each group on Base Rate scale scores of the MCMI-III. A significant multivariate effect was found (F [4, 184]=3.7, p, .001 ). A significant univariate effect was calculated for the Dependent, Masochistic, Schizotypal, and Borderline scale. As expected, follow-up post hoc ( Tukey HSD ) analysis indicated that the bulimic purging group scored significantly higher than the bulimic non-purging group on the Borderline scale. However, a significant difference between the two groups on the Negativity scale was not found. A one-way MANOVA was also calculated, examining the effect of each group on scales of the EDI-2. A significant multivariate effect (Wilk's Lambda) was found (F {22, 16}=2.9, p . < .001 ). Significant univariate effects were obtained for the Drive for Thinness , Body Dissatisfaction , Bulimia, Ineffectiveness , Perfectionism , Interoceptive Awareness , Maturity Fears , and Impulse Regulation scale . As expected, follow-up post hoc ( Tukey HSD ) revealed the bulimic purgers scored significantly higher than the bulimic non-purgers on the Drive for Thinness, Body Dissatisfaction, and Ineffectiveness scale. However, a significant difference was not found on the Impulse Regulation scale. The bulimic purgers scored significantly higher than anorexic binge-eating/purgers on the Body Dissatisfaction scale. Other significant differences between these two groups were not found. Anorexic binge-eating/ purgers scored significantly higher than bulimic non-purgers on the Dependent scale of the MCMI - III and the Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, Ineffectiveness, Interpersonal Distrust, Interoceptive Awareness, and Impulse Regulation scales of the EDI-2. These findings corroborate the severity of purging as a diagnostic tool.