Bulimia Nervosa: Professional and Lay People's Beliefs About the Causes

Abstract

This study examined the explanatory models of bulimia nervosa (BN) held by members of professionals in the medical, psychological, and allied health fields; the general public; and female university students. The participants (N = 787) were presented with 44 potential causal explanations for BN and were asked to rate the importance of each in the development of this condition on a 5‐point rating scale (“unimportant” to “extremely important”). Principal component analysis identified four causal components. These were interpreted as corresponding to (1) socio‐cultural pressure, (2) eating and dieting practices, (3) family dynamics, and (4) psychological vulnerability. A high degree of consistency in the mean ratings for the four causal components was observed among the professional groups. However, important differences were found between the professional and the lay respondents in their beliefs about the role of socio‐cultural pressure, eating and dieting practices, and family dynamics in the development of BN. The congruence in beliefs among the professionals groups would contribute to the ease of interdisciplinary collaboration required in the multi‐modal treatment approach to BN. However, the differences observed between the professional and lay groups may have implications for educational and preventative strategies for BN.

Key words:

• bulimia nervosa
• lay beliefs
• mental health literacy
• risk factors

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Libbie Douglas, Joanne Ratcliff, and Melissa Weismantle who participated in the collection of the data for this study. This research was supported by a Charles Sturt University research grant.

Notes

1. As the assumption of sphericity was violated, the Greenhouse–Geisser correction was used to calculate the F‐value.

2. Due to the small number of participants in the psychiatrist and mental health nurses groups, these groups were not included in these analyses.