Sociocultural values of appearance and attachment processes: An integrated model of eating disorder symptomatology

Sociocultural and attachment processes were integrated into a single model predicting eating disorder symptomatology to determine their relative influence. Using normative, self-report data from 146 female undergraduates, path analyses tested the fit of a conceptual model with two hypothesized pathways: (1) higher awareness of sociocultural values about appearance would lead to less perceived appearance satisfaction which would, in turn, lead to eating disordered behavior, and (2) attachment avoidance and anxiety (modeled separately) across mother, father, and romantic partner domains would predict psychological correlates of eating disorders, thereby increasing risk for disordered behaviors. Although both were significant, the sociocultural path was slightly stronger (β = − .46; path from attachment/psychological correlates to behaviors β = .27). Further, attachment avoidance exhibited stronger effects than anxiety (explaining 31% and 25% of variance in psychological correlates, respectively). Results underscored the need to consider multiple factors in eating disorder research and treatment programs.