Racial and ethnic differences in the association between parent‐oriented perfectionism and disordered eating in college women

Abstract

Objective This study examined the associations between parent‐oriented dimensions of perfectionism (parental expectations [PE] and parental criticism [PC]) and eating disorder (ED) symptomatology across racial/ethnic groups. It was hypothesized that parent‐oriented perfectionism would be positively associated with ED symptomatology for White and Asian American women. Method Undergraduate women (N = 1,173) completed questionnaires assessing perfectionism, EDs, and demographics. One‐way analyses of variance tested differences in PE and PC across racial/ethnic groups; post‐hoc Tukey tests probed significant differences. Multiple linear regressions assessed associations between parent‐oriented perfectionism and ED symptomatology. Hurdle models tested the association between PE and PC and the frequency and odds of endorsing ED symptomatology. Results There were significant group differences in PE and PC. PE was positively linked with various ED symptoms in Latina, Asian American, and multiracial women, and was negatively related to purging in multiracial women. PC was positively associated with body dissatisfaction in White, Black, and multiracial women, but displayed differential associations with ED symptomatology in all racial/ethnic groups. Discussion Levels of parent‐oriented dimensions of perfectionism, and their relations to ED symptomatology, might vary across racial/ethnic groups. PE, in particular, is both more elevated, and more strongly linked to eating pathology in Asian American women, whereas PC appears to be especially relevant to ED symptoms in Black women. Findings underscore the importance of considering the role of culture in ED symptomatology. Clinicians and researchers might consider incorporating assessments of parent‐oriented perfectionism into their practice.

Body Image and Eating Disorders Among South Asian American Women: What Are We Missing?

“…Moreover, the “Superwoman ideal” has been identified as an important correlate of eating psychopathology in other adolescent and young adult samples (Mensinger et al, 2007). Thus, clinicians should consider assessing perfectionism (both self- and socially-oriented) in SA Americans presenting for treatment (Goel et al, 2020).…”

Differential comorbidity profiles in avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and anorexia nervosa: Does age play a role?

“…Our sample was homogeneous (i.e., primarily non-Hispanic and white). Future research should focus on minority youth with AN and ARFID, given the dearth of research in this area, despite unique risk factors at play for these populations (Goel et al, 2019;Egbert et al, 2020Egbert et al, , 2022. Our sample size was modest (N = 91), which allowed us to detect only medium to large effect sizes.…”

Asian students in the anglosphere – unravelling the unique familial pressures contributing to eating pathology: a systematic review

“…Multiple studies have demonstrated that Asians report higher levels of perfectionism than white people [ 48 , 80 , 81 ], which has been linked to authoritarian parenting styles and higher parental expectations in Asian families [ 15 , 82 ]. The findings of this systematic review conflicted with other Asian-American studies, which demonstrated a correlation between high parental expectations and disordered eating in participants [ 81 , 83 ]. However, a more recent study by Brosoft, Calebs and Levinson found that although perfectionism was higher in Asian-Americans, it was more strongly associated with ED symptoms in European-Americans [ 80 ].…”

“…Multiple studies have demonstrated that Asians report higher levels of perfectionism than white people [48,80,81], which has been linked to authoritarian parenting styles and higher parental expectations in Asian families [15,82]. The findings of this systematic review conflicted with other Asian-American studies, which demonstrated a correlation between high parental expectations and disordered eating in participants [81,83]. However, a more recent study by Brosoft, Calebs and Levinson found that although perfectionism was higher in Asian-Americans, it was more strongly associated with ED symptoms in European-Americans [80].…”