DClinPsy Portfolio Volume 1 of 3 - University of Hertfordshire ...

Factors implicated in the development of eating disorders
An exhaustive overview of the risk factors identified in eating disorder research will not
be possible here due to space limitations, but an overview of the most salient findings
will be attempted. The biopsychosocial factors include the societal factors of the thin
ideal perpetuated in the media. Thinness is valued as it is harder to achieve in a culture of
abundance (Striegel-Moore, 1997). The influence of peers and family (Stice et al, 1999)
and a critical family environment (Haworth-Hoeppner, 2000) have also been identified as
risk factors for the development of eating disorders, as have familial environments that
are enmeshed, intrusive, hostile, and negating of the patient’s emotional needs
(Minuchin, Rosman, and Baker, 1978). BN patients also report greater parental
intrusiveness, specifically maternal invasion of privacy, jealousy, and competition, as
well as paternal seductiveness (Rorty, Yager, Rossotto and Buckwalter, 2000).
Psychological factors include negative affect (Stice and Bearman, 2001), low self esteem
(Striegel-Moore, 1997), negative body image, (Polivy and Herman, 2002) and cognitive
distortions such as perfectionism and cognitive biases (Vitousek and Hollon, 1990).
Furthermore, childhood sexual abuse (for BN) (e.g. Waller, 1991) and psychopathology
during middle adolescence (Keel, Fulkerson and Leon, 1997) are also implicated risks
factors. Cognitive Behavioural theory focuses on the risks of ‘dysfunctional system for
evaluating self-worth’, response to adverse mood states, an over-evaluation of eating,
shape and weight and their control (Fairburn et al 2003). Behavioural factors include
excessive dieting and obesity (Stice et al, 1999), participating in sports at the elite level or
sports that are weight restricting such as wrestling, gymnastics, or ballet (Brownell &
Rodin, 1994).
Biological factors identified include genetics (Wade, Martin, Tiggerman, Abraham,
Treloar and Heath, 2000), early maturation for women (Cauffman & Steinberg, 1996),
having a high Body Mass Index (BMI), body size and/or shape (Jones, Bennett, Olmsted,
Lawson, Rodin, 2001).
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