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Investigating the role of attachment in social comparison theories of eating disorders within a non-clinical female population

Bamford, Bryony; Halliwell, Emma

Authors

Bryony Bamford



Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to integrate attachment theory and sociocultural theory as predictors of disordered eating, thereby combining two previously distinct literatures in order to provide a more comprehensive model of eating disorder development. It was specifically proposed that women's attachment style may influence their tendency to socially compare themselves to idealised others. Method: Participants (N=213) were non-clinical female undergraduates. Sociocultural attitudes to appearance, social comparison, attachment and eating disorder symptomatology were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Results: Consistent with the hypothesis, social comparison was found to mediate the relationship between attachment anxiety and disordered eating. In addition, attachment avoidance, was not significantly associated with either internalisation of cultural ideals or social comparison but was significantly related to eating psychopathology. Conclusion: The findings suggest that attachment anxiety and avoidance influence disordered eating via different pathways, with attachment anxiety specifically being implicated in sociocultural models of disordered eating. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Citation

Bamford, B., & Halliwell, E. (2009). Investigating the role of attachment in social comparison theories of eating disorders within a non-clinical female population. European Eating Disorders Review, 17(5), 371-379. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.951

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Sep 1, 2009
Journal European Eating Disorders Review
Print ISSN 1072-4133
Electronic ISSN 1099-0968
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 17
Issue 5
Pages 371-379
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.951
Keywords attachment, social comparison, eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, body image
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/992901
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/erv.951