Disordered Eating and Locus of Control Eating Disorders in Female Adolescents in partial ...

124 Pages·2002·6.44 MB·English

Disordered Eating and Locus of Control
The Relationsbip Between Locus of Control and Dietary Patterns Consistent witb
Eating Disorders in Female Adolescents
Stacev M. Youqg
Mount Saint Vincent University
A thesis submitted to the Department of Education
in partial fuüilment
of the requinments for the degrec of
Masten of Arts in School Psychology
Juiy 27,2000
Copyright 8 2000 Stacey Young
The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accord6 une licence non
exchisin licence dowing the exchuive permettant B la
National L i i of Canada to Bibliothèque nationaie du Canada de
reproduce, loan, distniutt or sel rcpro&irc, prêter, distribuer ou
copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous
paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/film, de
reproduction sur papier ou sur format
éiecûonique.
The author ntams ownaship of the L'auteur consewe la psopridté du
copyrighî in this thesis. Neitha aie droit d'auîcur qui protège cette thèse.
thesis nor substantiai extracts fiom it Ni la &&se ni des extmits substantels
may be pmted or otherwise de d - c i ne doivent être imprimés
reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son
permission. autorisation.
0-6 12 -66728-6
Disordered Eating and Locus of Control
DEDICATION
1 would like to dedicate this thesis to the most important people in my world, my
farnily. 1 consider myself tmly blessed by your endless love and support. Thank you for the
confidence you have entrusted in me. 1 love you ail. I dedicate this thesis to you, Mom and
Dad. You have helped to make me al1 that I am today. You are my inspiration and my
heros. I love you 'bp-a-sky and dom again".
This thesis is also dedicated to al1 of the girls who have opened up and shared their
stories with me. In particular those girls whose bodies, minds, lives, and families have been
forever changed by eating disorders. May you find cornfort and happiness as you discover
just how wonderhiliy special you tmly are.
Disordered Eating and Locus of Control
ABSTRACT
Refusai to maintain minimally nomai body weight combined with an intense fear
-
of gaining weight characterize core feanires of Anorexia Nervosa one of the predomhant
types of eating disorden gaining in prevalence among females of increasingly young ages.
Previous research indicates that many eating disordered individuals often feel helpless and
believe that they have little control over their life situations. The current investigation
examined the relationship between perceptions of lack of control and attitudes/behavioa
symptomatic of eating disorders. More specifically, this study investigated the correlation
between locus of control as predicted by the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale
for Children and levels of disordered eating as measured by the Eating Disorder Inventory.
One hundred female adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age completed each
of these two questionnaires. A series of ANOVA calculations examined differences in
participant responses as influenced by a number of demogmphic variables including age,
race / ethnicity, height, weight and socio-economic statu. None of these variables
accounted for the differences in control scores andlor eating disorder scores seen in this
sample. Consistent with this study's hypothesis, Pearson Product Comlation calculations
revealed positive correlations between NSLCS-C scores and three of the EDI-2 subscales:
Drive for Thinness, Interoceptive Awareness, and Ineffectiveness.
A second component of this investigation involved interviewhg a subsarnple of
participants using a semi-structured interview format to provide participants of varying
control and eating profiles with a f o mt o m e re xplore their attitudes and opinions
ii.
Disordered Eating and Locus of Control
around eating, dieting, and control. Qualitative analysis reveded a number of trends and
patterns. In addition to adopting disordered eating habits, participants with extemal
control orientations displayed lower self-esteem, less confidence, and reported greater
conflict with theu parents whom they felt enforced ultimate control over their lives. niese
observations directly opposed comments made by females with internai control
orientations. Cultural differences were also noted in ternis of different perceptions of
'desirable' body types.
The final portion of this papa discusses intricacies of the results yielded in the
current body of research. The results of this study suggested many implications including
strategies for the identification and prevention of eating disordea in fernale adolescents.
iii.
Disordered Eating and Locus of Control
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
An underiaking of this magnitude involves the cooperation and assistance of a
number of individuals, al1 of whom have played an important role in the completion of this
study. First and foremost, 1 offer my sincerest appreciation to Dr. Jolaine States, my thesis
advisor, supervisor, teacher and fiiend. Your guidance and cornmitment has facilitated my
leaming. Your nurturance has helped me to feel. 1 would also like to extend deepest
gratitude to my cornmittee members, Dr. Michael Foley and Dr. Carol Scarff. Thank you
for your support, insight, and encouragement.
1 would like to thank my immediate farnily. Mom, Dad, and Daniel, words can not
convey the gratitude I feel for al1 of the love and support you have given me throughout
-
my years. ïhank you for being everythmg that 1 needed from my secretaries to my
cheering section. 'ïhank you for knowing how to heip. 1 love you ali.
A tremendous 'Thank-you' is extended to my partner Alf. Alf, I could never
account for al1 of the times you have helped me through these two years of my Mastea
program. You have helped me with everything fiom photocopies and cornputers to
understanding and kind words. Thank you for your love and support. Most of all, th&
you for your patience. 1 love you.
I would also like to thank my family. You have helped make me the individual 1 am
today more than you will ever know. in particular, there are a number of people who
deserve special thanks. Nan and Papa, you are my biggest fans and my best fkiends.
iv.
Disordered Eating and Locus of Control
Th& you for your support and faith in my ability. To my uncles and aunts, "Thank you".
You guys are the best. Johnny and Carol, thank you for dl of your help with the
cornputer. Tabitha and Soel, your help soliciting participants was greatly appreciated. Jeny
and Jane, thanks for helping me with the transcription of my data. I am truly blessed to
have such a loving and supportive family.
1 would also like to thank Daniel and Michelle for your help with the late night
s c o ~mgi ssions. Your assistance was greatiy appreciated. As well, 1 would like to thank
my roommate and tniest fnend Loretta. Thank you for your advice, love, and
encouragement. You are a wonderful counselor.
Sincerest thanks is aiso extendeci to Faye Tnm-Kusuti, my mentor and fiend.
Thank you for opening your home to me. You have been instrumental in rny development
as a psychologist. You are a terrific psychologist.
To al1 the of the administrators and staffat the various schools in which 1
conducted this study, I offer my appreciation. Th& you for welcorning me into your
schools.
Lady, 1 would like to offer my sincere thanks to al1 the girls who helped make this
research project possible. Without you, there would be no study. Your kindness and
candid sharing will be forever remembered.
Disordered Eating and Locus of Control
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
....................................................................................................
DEDICATION
1.
LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................... viii .
LIST OF FIGURES ...........................................................................................
CHAPTER
.
1 INTRODUCTION
.
....................................................................
II LITERATURE REVIEW 6
.......................................................................
Ongins of Eating Psychopathology 7
.............................................................
Perceived Control and Food Restriction I t
................................................................................
Measuring Locus of Control 14
...............................................
Locus of Control Orientation and Eating Behavior 16
Control and Eating Behavior Across Cultures .................................... ....... ........O 21
............................................................................................
Rationale for the Smdy 25
.
III METHOD ............................................................................... 28
.........................................................................................................
Participants 28
..............................................................................................................
Materials 28
.............................................................................................................
Procedure 32
......................................................................................*.........................
Analysis 35
.
N RESULTS ................................................................................................... 37
.........................................................................................
Demographic Analysis 37
................................................. .......................................................
Age 39
................... .. ..........................................................
Racial / Ethnic Group 40
......................................................*........................ .......
Weight and Height 42
.................................................................
Infened Socio-Economic Status 44
.........................................
Demographic Differences Across EDI Subscale Scores 46
Disordered Eating and Locus of Control
Page
...........................................................................................................
Correlations 48
................................................................................................
Qualitative Analysis 51
.
..........................................................................................
V DISCUSSlON
...................
Factors Impacting on the Control 1 Disordered Eating Relationship
................................................................................................
Self-Esteem
.................................................................................................
Confidence
.........................................................................................
Farnily Influence
......................................................................
Prior Experiences of Success
....................................................................
Different Values and Priorities
..................................................................................
Culturai Differences
Cultural Differences as an Explanation for Disordered Eating 1 External
............................................................................................
Control Correlation
.....................................................................................
Implications for Treatment
...................................................................................
Early Identification
....................................................................................
Teac h-to-Intemality
...................................................
Increasing Emphasis on Family Support
Creating Opportunities for Success in Other Avenues ..............................
...........................................................................................
Demystification
........................................................................................
Critique of the Study
.................................................................
Recommendations for Future Research
APPENDICES
............................................................
Appendix A: Interview Questions
Appendix B: Summary Letter School Board ..........................................
O ..................
Appendix C: Summary Letter Junior and Senior High Schools
O ..............................
Appendix D: Summary Letter Parent@)1 Guardian(s)
O .....................................................
Appendix E: Adolescent Consent Fom
.......................................
Appendix F: Parent(s) 1G uardian(s) Consent Fonn
.......................................
Appendix G: Consent for Participation in Interview
..................................................................
Appendix H: Contact Information
Appendix 1: Nowicki Stricktand Locus of Control Scale for Children ..........
REFERENCES
.
vii
Disordered Eating and Locus of Control
LIST OF TABLES
Page
TABLE 1: Total Number and Percentage of Sample Taken nom
.....................................................
Each Participant Source
TABLE 2: Analy sis of Variance: NSLCS (Nowicki-Strickland
Locus of Control score) by AGE (participant's age) ........
TABLE 3: Analysis of Variance: NSLCS (Nowicki-Strickland
................
Locus of Control score) by RACE (racial group)
TABLE 4: Descriptive Statistical Information for Weight and
............................................................
Height of Participants
TABLE S a. & b.: Analysis of Variance: NSLC S (Nowicki-Strick land
Locus of Control score) by a. HEIGHT (cunent height)
and b. WEIGHT (cunent weight) ........................................
TABLE 6: Percentage of Parental Employment ....................................
TABLE 7 a. & b.: Analysis of Variance: NSLCS (Nowicki-Strickland
Locus of Control score) by a. DADJOB (father's
occupation) and b. MOMJOB (mother's occupation) .............
TABLE 8: ANOVA Calculations for EDI-2 Subscaies by AGE
(participant's age), RACE (racial group), DADJOB
(father's occupation), MOMJ OB (mother' s occupation) .......
TABLE 9: Demographic Information for Sub-Sarnple Participants .......
TABLE 10: Sample Interview Questions and Answers ......................