A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF SELF-ESTEEM IN THE PREDICTION OF EATING PROBLEMS IN ADOLESCENT SCHOOLGIRLS - QUESTIONNAIRE FINDINGS

A number of authors have emphasized the importance of self-esteem in t he aetiology of the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nerv osa. Evidence for such theorizing, however, mainly derives from clinic al observations on people being treated for eating disorders. This stu dy is the first prospective study to investigate the role of self-este em in aetiology prior to the onset of an eating disorder. Self-esteem was measured in 594 schoolgirls aged 11-12 using the Rosenberg Self-Es teem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965). Almost 400 of these girls were successfu lly followed up at age 15-16 and they completed a questionnaire examin ing eating and other psychological problems. Results showed that girls with low self-esteem at age 11-12 were at significantly greater risk of developing the more severe signs of eating disorders, as well as ot her psychological problems, by the age of 15-16. It is argued that mor e research is needed to replicate and extend these findings. The resul ts also give weight to the case for examining the potential role of se lf-esteem enhancement in the prevention of eating disorders.