A Pilot Investigation of the Relation of Perceived Mutuality to Eating Disorders in Women

ABSTRACT

Relational theory predicts that lack of mutuality in important relationships leads to the development of psychological problems, including eating disorders. We sought to explore the association between perceived mutuality in relationships with partners and friends and eating disorders. Participants were 74 women, 35 with an eating disorder diagnosis and 39 non-psychiatric controls. The eating disorder group reported lower perceived mutuality than controls for both partners and friends. The negative aspects of perceived mutuality were particularly important in differentiating between groups. These findings held when depression was included as a covariate for friends only. Results suggest that the disconnecting aspects of relationships may play a powerful role in the phenomenology of eating disorders.

KEYWORDS:

• Eating disorders
• relational/cultural theory
• interpersonal relationships