Investigating the Relationship Between Perfectionism and Childhood Trauma with Disordered Eating Behaviors with the Mediating Role of Body Image Dissatisfaction

Today, eating disorders are increasing among adults and their negative consequences have caused health concerns. Therefore, identifying the factors associated with these behaviors can help to prevent them. In this regard, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perfectionism and childhood trauma with disordered Eating Behaviors and the mediating role of body image dissatisfaction.

among all students of Islamic Azad universities in Tehran 400 students were selected by available sampling method that 324 participants were entered in the analysis. The tools of this study include Eating Disordered Behavior Scale (EAT-26), Hill’s Perfectionism Inventory (HPI), Body Image Concern (Littleton et al., 2005) and Childhood Trauma questionnaire (CTQ).

The results of the path analysis showed that Body image dissatisfaction mediated the relationship between perfectionism and childhood trauma and eating disorders (P<0.05).

it seems that people who have been traumatized, set high standards and compensatory measures, such as disturbed eating behaviors, because of the distorted image they may have of themselves. Body image dissatisfaction can also reinforce perfectionist efforts and intensify compensatory eating behaviors in order to idealize the body.