Perceived Criticism, Self-Criticism, and Disordered Eating Patterns in College Students

Abstract

Previous research has shown that individuals with disordered eating patterns who come from a family that is high in Expressed Emotion tend to have more disordered eating behaviors and over a longer period of time. There is less research on how a person’s perception of their family’s expressed emotion, specifically the criticism directed at them by a parental figure, affects their disordered eating patterns. The purpose of this research was to examine whether there is a relationship between perceived criticism and disordered eating patterns, as well as whether this relationship is influenced by self-criticism. One hundred and five undergraduate college students participated in an online survey that measured perceived criticism, their self-criticism, and their disordered eating behaviors and thoughts. The results suggest that levels of perceived criticism and disordered eating behaviors and thoughts were not related to each other. However, an individual’s perception of parental self-criticism was related to their level of self-criticism. Their level of self-criticism in turn was related to their disordered eating behaviors and thoughts, demonstrating an indirect relationship between perceived criticism and disordered eating patterns. These findings offer some potential areas of consideration for clinicians treating clients with disordered eating behaviors.