Comparison of shoplifting behaviours in patients with eating disorders, psychiatric control subjects, and undergraduate control subjects

Shoplifting behaviours were examined in an eating disorder group (EDG, n = 48), a psychiatric control group (PCG, n = 46), and an undergraduate contro l group (UCG, n = 82). They were examined in relation to self-esteem, depre ssion, and eating disorder symptomatology. The 3 groups did not differ in o verall history of shoplifting, but EDG women were more likely to have shopl ifted in the past 6 months (current shoplifting) and to have shoplifted oft en than were women from the PCG or UCG. Across all 3 groups, current shopli fting was associated with low self-esteem, elevated depression, and purging behaviours at the time of the assessment. The implications of these findin gs with regard to the relationship between shoplifting and eating disorder symptomatology will be addressed.