A psychocultural study of problem eating in white, middle or upper class girls and women

This thesis is framed by a contemporary debate between feminist theorists and clinicians concerning the role of culture in the etiology of problem eating. Feminists argue that it is a mistake to pathologize disordered eating since it is arguably the norm in contemporary society. From this perspective, problem eating lies along a continuum and constitutes a response both to the current era of gender upheaval, and to tremendous social pressure on girls and women (hereafter: women) to cultivate slender bodies. Clinicians counter that it is highly objectionable to gloss over the reality of extremely disordered eating in the name of a political agenda to universalize the problem. Moreover, they argue that while cultural messages appear to shape symptoms, our efforts are appropriately directed toward understanding core psychological (and/or familial, or biological) difficulties. The effort within the thesis to resolve this debate begins with a review of empirical literature which has researched whether women with problem eating are particularly feminine, or reject their femininity (or both). This review yields the assessment that white, middle or upper class women with more severe eating problems are deeply conflicted about their gendered personality. In particular, it seems likely that these women seek to address the "gender double-bind" according to which women must be what is devalued (i.e., feminine), and only be what is valued (i.e., masculine) within acceptable limits. The psychocultural model of the gendered nature of problem eating which is developed on the basis of this material shows how women seize upon social-cultural input concerning female body management in their attempt to answer the double bind. An autobiographical inquiry on the part of the author helps to confirm the validity of this approach, but also reveals the deeper psychological structures of a "lack of developed self," and "lack of womaninity." These structures give rise to intense heeds for guidance concerning how to develop as persons and as women. And the confluence of these needs with the concern to address the gender double bind is shown in the model to generate more severe problem eating along the continuum.Education, Faculty ofEducational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department ofGraduat