Restrained eating and sociocultural attitudes to appearance and general dissatisfaction

Objective: This study investigated the influence of sociocultural factors i n a non-dieting disordered population. Relationships between restrained eat ing and the awareness and internalization of sociocultural attitudes toward s appearance; and between restrained eating and the personality traits, Per fectionism and general dissatisfaction, were examined. Method: Eighty-two female Australian-born, university students completed fo ur questionnaires: the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), Revised Restraint Scale (RRS, Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Scale (SATAQ), Setting Co nditions for Anorexia Nervosa Scale (SCANS). Results: Significant positive relationships were found between restrained e ating and (a) abnormal eating attitudes, (b) awareness and internalization of sociocultural attitudes towards appearance, and (c) general dissatisfact ion with oneself and life. There was no significant relationship between re strained eating and perfectionism. Post hoc analyses revealed a significant relationship between general dissatisfaction and the awareness and interna lization of sociocultural pressures. Discussion: The study highlighted differences In psychopathology between di eting disordered and non-dieting disordered populations, and suggested that females who practice dietary restraint were aware of and internalize conce pts about thinness and beauty. Furthermore, the findings suggested that it is not just exposure to these ideals but the acceptance of them that leads to restrained eating. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.