Shame and severity of bulimic symptoms

Initial research suggests that self-conscious affect such as shame may perpetuate bulimic symptoms among individuals suffering from bulimia nervosa (BN). This investigation reports findings from two studies that examine the relation of shame to bulimic symptoms. In the first study, the relation of shame to bulimic symptoms was examined among 137 female college undergraduates. Shame accounted for a significant portion of variance in bulimic symptoms after controlling for age, weight status, guilt, and depressed mood. A second study examined the severity of shame in 30 bulimic patients compared to 28 eating-disordered patients with subclinical symptoms. Although patients with more severe bulimic symptoms exhibited higher levels of shame, this relation was not independent of the shared relation with depression and guilt. Findings are discussed in terms of the role of shame in bulimic symptoms. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Duke Scholars

Author Kelly D. Brownell Sanford School of Public Policy