Perfectionism, rumination, and gender are related to symptoms of eating disorders: A moderated mediation model

Introduction Perfectionism and rumination both seem to be involved in the development and maintenance of eating disorders (ED), but the underlying studies have been performed almost exclusively in females. The aims of this study were to examine whether rumination is a potential mediator of the link between perfectionism and ED symptoms, and whether gender is a moderator of the link between perfectionism and ED symptoms and/or between perfectionism and brooding rumination. Method 390 participants (269 women, 121 men), aged between 18 and 25, completed three questionnaires: the Ruminative Response Scale for Eating Disorders, the Eating Attitudes Test, and the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. Results Results showed that maladaptive evaluative-concerns perfectionism and positive strivings perfectionism both had indirect effects on ED symptoms via brooding rumination. Gender moderated only the direct effect between maladaptive evaluative-concerns perfectionism and ED symptoms. Conclusions These results highlighted gender differences, and support the literature on the importance of including rumination and perfectionism in the treatment and the prevention of eating disorders