The Prevalence and Family Correlates of Eating Disorder Tendencies in Older Women

ABSTRACT

Questions regarding the incidence of eating disorder tendencies and support for a conceptual model of specific family correlates of such tendencies were examined in a non-clinical sample of 92 women over the age of 50. It was predicted that older women assessed as at-risk for developing eating disorders would perceive their families as more conflictual, less cohesive and expressive, and themselves as less independent of or differentiated from their family of origin. Results provided support for these predictions and also showed Achievement and Control factors to be significantly related to eating disorder tendencies. Implications for further research and clinical practice are discussed.