RELATIONSHIP OF GENDER DISCREPANCY TO PSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF DISORDERED EATING IN FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES

Few studies have investigated the possible influence of discrepancy be tween actual and ideal perceptions of masculinity and femininity (i.e. , gender discrepancy) on eating disorder behaviors and attitudes. This study replicated and extended earlier research (C. Johnson & T. A. Pe trie, 1995) by examining the relationship of gender discrepancy (C. St einer-Adair, 1986) to a broad range of physical and psychological corr elates of eating disorders in 144 female undergraduates. Controlling f or the influences of physical size (i.e., body mass), analyses reveale d that women with no gender discrepancy were psychologically healthier in many aspects than women who wanted to be more masculine and more f eminine. Results are discussed in reference to gender discrepancy theo ry, and implications for counseling and directions for future research are offered.