Predictors of Anorectic and Bulimic Symptoms in Adolescent Girls

Objective: In this study, we aimed to compare the predictive effects of variables such as family functioning, self-esteem, obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms, depressive symptoms, body perception, and body mass index of anorectic and bulimic symptoms in adolescent female students. Methods: Bulimia Inventory Test of Edinburgh (BITE), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES), Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R), Family Assessment Device (FAD), Body Perception Scale (BPS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to 1201 female students attending the first year in high school, and their heights and weights were measured. In regression analysis, BITE symptom scores were taken as the dependent variable and self esteem subscale of RSES, obsessive-compulsive symptom subscale of SCL-90-R, FAD subscales, BPS, and BDI scores and body mass index were taken as independent variables. The same independent variables were used to predict the EAT scores. Results: Obsessive-compulsive symptoms were found to be the most predictive variable for bulimic behavior, accounting for 11.6% of the variance. Other predictor variables were depression, body mass index, and affective involvement as a part of family functioning. The most predictive variables for EAT scores were found to be depression, family functioning, body mass index, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Depression score was the most predictive variable for anorectic symptoms. Conclusion: Similar variables contribute to bulimic and anorectic pathology in varying degrees. The strongest predictor of bulimic pathology in mid-adolescent girls was found to be obsessive-compulsive symptoms, while depressive symptoms were most predictive variable for anorectic symptoms.