The role of family of origin food-related experiences in bulimic symptomatology

Objective: With the goal of developing a model relating Family of origin ex periences to maladaptive cognitions to bulimic symptom formation, the autho rs developed a measure of family of origin food-related experiences called the Family History Inventory. Method: A number (N = 662) of sixth to eighth -grade adolescents completed the inventory, eating and dieting expectancy m easures, and the Bulimia Test-Revised (BULIT-R). Results: Fourteen scales w ere identified in the inventory. They emphasized family teasing about weigh t, negative maternal modeling regarding food and family rules concerning ea ting. Eleven of the 14 scales correlated with the BULIT-R. Two superordinat e factors called Family Teasing and Negative Maternal Modeling summarized 8 of the 14 subscales. Statistical tests were consistent with the hypothesis that eating and dieting expectancies mediate the influence of Family Teasi ng and Negative Maternal Modeling on bulimic symptomatology. Discussion: Th ere was good evidence for the validity of the Family History Inventory. The theoretical implications of the mediation tests are discussed. (C) 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.