Parental control, low perceived control and perfectionism: An integration of three etiological models of disordered eating

This dissertation begins with a thorough review of studies evaluating the importance of research on disordered eating and studies evaluating the etiological contributions of parental control, perceived control and perfectionism to disordered eating. Further, literature is reviewed pertaining to the specificity of parental control, perceived control and perfectionism to the development of disordered eating by examining the relation of these variables to the development of depression and anxiety as well. Based upon this review, a study exploring the interrelationships of parental control, perceived control and perfectionism in the development of disordered eating was conducted. Hypotheses that perceived control and perfectionism each mediate the relationship between parental control and disordered eating were tested. Further, the hypothesis that perfectionism moderates the relationship between perceived control and disordered eating was tested. Finally, the specificity of these models was tested by assessing their ability to predict depressive and anxiety symptoms. The results failed to support any of the study hypotheses.