Self-competence and self-liking in the prediction of change in bulimic symptoms

Objective: To examine the relationship of self-competence and self-liking (two distinct dimensions of self-esteem) to bulimic symptoms. Method: Two separate longitudinal studies were conducted on undergraduate women from two universities (Study 1, N = 129; Study 2, N = 406). Measures of self-competence, self-liking, and bulimic symptoms were administered on two occasions, separated by several weeks. Results: Self-competence demonstrated a stronger relationship than self-liking to change in bulimic symptoms over time. Discussion: These findings. have significant theoretic implications for the construct of self-esteem and implications for risk for and treatment of bulimia. (C) 2003 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.