Self-concept and need for social approval in bulimia

Author(s): Remy, C.

Journal/Book: Z Psychol. 1996; 204: Im Weiher 10, D-69121 Heidelberg, Germany. Johann Ambrosius Barth Verlag. 187-198.

Abstract: The present work concerns the relation between the need for social approval (assessed as social desirability) and bulimia with respect to gender-differences. Since bulimia is mainly a female issue, a relationship was predicted between the development of bulimia and the internalization of a socially desired feminine sex-stereotype with respect to the self-concept. The need for approval was assessed for male subjects, female subjects not suffering from eating-disorders, and female bulimic subjects. The results show that bulimic women have significant higher self-ratings concerning the need for approval. Without neglecting multicausal explications, the results suggest that social desirability as an expression of social approval should receive more attention as a facilitating factor in the development of bulimia.

Note: Article G Steins, Univ Bielefeld, Fak Psychol & Sportwissensch, Postfach 100131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany

Keyword(s): self-concept; need for social approval; social desirability; socio-cultural factors; bulimia; SYMPTOMATOLOGY; ANDROGYNY; STUDENTS; NERVOSA

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