A Janet Tomiyama1, Traci Mann. 1. Department of Psychology, The University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563, USA. tomiyama@psych.ucla.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated the validity of familial enmeshment (extreme proximity in family relationships) as a risk factor for eating disorders across cultural value orientations. They tested the hypothesis that although familial enmeshment may be a risk factor for eating disorder pathology for (1) participants of non-Asian descent or (2) culturally independent participants, enmeshment will not be a risk factor for (1) participants of Asian descent or (2) culturally interdependent participants. PARTICIPANTS: 255 undergraduate women participated. METHODS: Participants completed questionnaires on cultural value orientations, enmeshment, and eating disorder pathology. RESULTS: As hypothesized, enmeshment was related to eating disorder pathology in non-Asian American and culturally independent participants, but not in Asian American and culturally interdependent participants. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on cultural values, enmeshment may or may not be a risk factor for eating disorders. This study highlights the importance of examining risk factors in the appropriate cultural framework when considering college student mental health.
OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated the validity of familial enmeshment (extreme proximity in family relationships) as a risk factor for eating disorders across cultural value orientations. They tested the hypothesis that although familial enmeshment may be a risk factor for eating disorder pathology for (1) participants of non-Asian descent or (2) culturally independent participants, enmeshment will not be a risk factor for (1) participants of Asian descent or (2) culturally interdependent participants. PARTICIPANTS: 255 undergraduate women participated. METHODS:Participants completed questionnaires on cultural value orientations, enmeshment, and eating disorder pathology. RESULTS: As hypothesized, enmeshment was related to eating disorder pathology in non-Asian American and culturally independent participants, but not in Asian American and culturally interdependent participants. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on cultural values, enmeshment may or may not be a risk factor for eating disorders. This study highlights the importance of examining risk factors in the appropriate cultural framework when considering college student mental health.
Authors: Mae Lynn Reyes-Rodriguez; Margarita Sala; Ann Von Holle; Claudia Unikel; Cynthia M Bulik; Luis Camara-Fuentes; Alba Suarez-Torres Journal: J Am Coll Health Date: 2011