BULIMIA-NERVOSA IN UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN - FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNALIZATION OF THE SOCIOCULTURAL STANDARD OF THINNESS

Diverse areas of research and theory are integrated in an attempt to b etter understand the specific risk factors for bulimia nervosa identif ied in the literature. It is suspected that the interplay of risk fact ors may be unique to different groups of individuals who develop bulim ia. Further, it is proposed that specific determinants be studied indi vidually to determine their particular influence in the etiology of bu limia. It is suggested that the investigation of specific risk factors for bulimia in certain groups will benefit researchers and clinicians in gaining a better conceptual understanding of the process involved in the development of the disorder. This article focuses on the determ inants of a specific risk factor (i.e., internalization of the sociocu ltural standard of thinness) for bulimia in undergraduate women, a gro up identified as particularly vulnerable to this disorder. Research an d theory are integrated to suggest that a combination of specific indi vidual differences, family, and social factors make some undergraduate women more vulnerable to the influence of the sociocultural standard of thinness and bulimia. Suggestions for the inclusion of these psycho social factors in future empirical investigations and treatment progra ms are also discussed.