Eating disorders as coping strategies: A critique

An association between eating disorder symptoms and stress has been observe d in a number of studies in both laboratory and clinical settings. A popula r conclusion has been that eating disorder symptoms may represent a coping strategy. However, since coping is a part of the stress process, it is poss ible that many authors have confounded this process (i.e. stress) with the outcome (i.e. eating disorder). Suggestions that eating disorders are copin g strategies are discussed in terms of a Precise definition of coping. Symp toms can only be considered as coping strategies if they are goal-directed and motivated by the wish to influence stress levels. Although it is sugges ted that eating disorders are unlikely to be coping strategies at their ons et, they may acquire functional status by reinforcement, although this stil l does not mean that they are necessarily coping strategies. It is suggeste d that the view of eating disorders as coping may simply be a modem, causal explanation of symptoms. The advantages and disadvantages of such a casual explanation for clinical practice are discussed. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Son s, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.