MEASUREMENT OF NONCLINICAL PERSONALITY-CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN WITH ANOREXIA-NERVOSA OR BULIMIA-NERVOSA

Past research on personality and eating disorders has most often empha sized personality psychopathology and personality disorders. We furthe r investigated nonclinical personality characteristics among women wit h anorexia nervosa (n = 35) or bulimia nervosa (n = 45) using the Mult idimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ; Tellegen, 1982, 1985). Th e MPQ measures several personality traits that have been shown to cons ist of a substantial genetic component (Tellegen ct al., 1988). In log istic regression analyses, women with anorexia nervosa evidenced great er degrees of control (vs. impulsivity) and general constraint, and a lower degree of absorption in sensory experiences relative to those wi th bulimia nervosa. Relative to the normative population (Tellegen, 19 82), our sample evidenced very low scores on Well-being, Social Closen ess, and Positive Affectivity and high scores on Stress Reaction, Alie nation, and Negative Affectivity. Our results emphasize the importance of considering nonclinical personality features and temperament, and varying methods of assessment, in the understanding of predisposing fa ctors for eating disorders.