Empirical scrutiny of a familiar narrative: Sense of control in anorexia nervosa

Psychological control has been hypothesized to play a pivotal role in the variability, natural course, and treatment Of anorexia nervosa (AN). However both the empirical and theoretical literatures suggest that this relationship is incompletely understood. Employing a multidimensional control inventory to overcome problems identified in previous research, this study examines the relationship between psychological sense of control and clinical variability of AN in 51 women. An adverse overall sense of control, along with reliance on specific means of gaining control was associated with more severe eating disturbance. Greater use Of a negative-assertive style of gaining control was associated with a longer time since first diagnosis, while desire for control was significantly associated with menstrual status. Finally, self-induced vomiting was associated with specific means of obtaining control, while use of laxatives was associated with reduced control in the domain of body. Such findings have implications for future research and the application of control constructs in treatment. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.