Eating disorders: their relationship to perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive disorder compared to a control sample

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find a relationship among eating disorders (ED), perfectionism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and find that levels of perfectionism and OCD are higher in ED individuals. A correlational mixed, between groups design was employed. ED females (n=17) and control females (n=52) self-reported on the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Revised, Frost's Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, and a purpose-designed questionnaire. Predictor variables were the ED group and the control group. Criterion variables were perfectionism and OCD. Statistics show significant differences in levels of OCD and perfectionism between the groups. Correlational findings show a significant relationship between OCD and perfectionism for ED participants and a non-significant relationship for the control group. Implications of the current research and directions for future research are discussed.