The Dual Pathway Model of Bulimia: Replication and Extension with Anorexia

AbstractThe dual model of bulimia proposes that social pressure for ideal body, stereotypes internalization, body image dissatisfaction, dietary and negative affect are lead to development of bulimia. Previous research confirms this model, also studies shown that the same sociocultural factors are important for development of anorexia. So it can be assumed that dual pathway model of bulimia could predict anorexia symptoms. The aim of the study was to test dual pathway bulimia model for predicting anorexia symptoms. A sample of 348 14-18 age schoolgirls from Kaunas city completed Eating Attitude Test, Negative Affect Schedule, Body shape Questionnaire, Perceived sociocultural pressure scale and Ideal Body Stereotype Scale. Structural equation analyses suggested that initial pressure to be thin and thin-ideal internalization predicted subsequent growth in body dissatisfaction, initial body dissatisfaction predicted growth in dieting and negative affect, and initial dieting and negative affect predicted growth in bulimia and anorexia symptoms. The findings provide support for dual pathway model of bulimia for predicting not only bulimia, but also anorexia symptoms