Date of Award
2019
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Specialization
Clinical Psychology
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
W. Grant Willis
Abstract
This dissertation first provides the current conceptualization of the most common Eating Disorders (EDs) as well as other disordered eating conditions currently recognized within the research community. The current literature regarding the epidemiology, risk factors, existing evidence of indicators of overlap, and commonalities in treatment and prevention efforts among these disorders is identified. Researchers have mentioned the concept of a continuum of eating disordered behaviors or a spectrum of eating pathology, either using it in a paper title or within a research paper, yet few have conducted statistical analyses to illustrate that these concepts have more than face validity. This study used factor analysis (FA) to identify whether the current diagnostic schema is the best method for diagnosis of EDs. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA & CFA) as well as other descriptive statistics identified movement among disorders as well as overlap in symptomology. These results support the possibility that a dimensional model might be better suited for ED diagnosis.
Recommended Citation
Steffes, Juliana, "AN EXPLORATORY INVESTIGATION INTO THE STRUCTURE OF EATING DISORDER DIAGNOSIS" (2019). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 847.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/847
Terms of Use
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