This paper applies a systems theory model to analyze two empirical articles on eating disorders. The first, by Lisa and Owen (2008), examines whether eating disorders occur on a continuum of behavior by measuring self-esteem, perfectionism, and disordered eating in 261 undergraduate women. The second, by Green et al. (2009), investigates the comorbid relationship between eating disorder behaviors and unipolar depression in a sample of 208 students. Using inputs, throughputs, and outputs as an organizing framework, the paper summarizes each study's methods and findings and presents structured comprehension questions to reinforce key concepts from both articles.
Inputs: The values driving this study involve researching the eating disorder continuum by measuring self-esteem, perfectionism, and eating disorder behavior, as well as offering validation evidence on the measure of eating disorder behavior and the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (QEDD). Resources include the EDI-2 subscale score, the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, contingency tables and Kappa values, the QEDD, 261 student participants, questionnaires, literature, and survey results.
Throughput: The throughput process includes measurement using standardized tests, counterbalancing of survey results, critical analysis of literature, multivariate analysis, discussion, and interpretation of findings.
Outputs: Outcomes include statistical figures, descriptive texts, and percentages of the sample population with an eating disorder. The study concludes that an increase in eating disorder behavior on a continuum is associated with decreased self-esteem, increased perfectionism, and increased scores on the seventh subscale.
Inputs: This study's inputs include a comprehensive analysis of the link between psychological factors and unipolar depression and comorbid eating disorder behavior. The goals are to identify etiological correlations, compare relevant contributors of those correlates, and identify key psychological factors influencing eating disorder and unipolar depression. Resources include the sociocultural model of bulimia, a maladaptive social model, and a covariance structure model. The sample consisted of 208 participants. Instruments used include the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), the Body Shape Questionnaire, the Social Comparison Rating Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory II.
Throughput: The throughput process includes survey interviews, behavioral testing and measurement, observation, interpretation, discussion, analysis, and critique of findings.
Output: The study concludes that disordered eating behaviors are conceptualized on a continuum and are influenced by the comorbid relationship between eating disorder behaviors and unipolar depression.
Lisa and Owen (2008) investigate whether eating disorders occur on a continuum of behavior by testing and surveying 261 undergraduate women. The goal of this research is to study the eating disorder continuum by measuring self-esteem, perfectionism, and eating disorder behavior, and to find validated evidence on the measure of eating disorder behavior using the QEDD. The survey indicates that women with an eating disorder differ from symptomatic and asymptomatic women on all variables, with symptomatic women differing from asymptomatic women on perfectionism, self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness, and interoceptive awareness.
Green et al. (2009) investigate the link between psychological factors and unipolar depression and comorbid eating disorder behavior. The goal of the study is to identify etiological correlations, compare relevant contributors of those correlates, and identify key psychological factors influencing eating disorder and unipolar depression. The survey of 208 students shows that disordered eating behaviors are conceptualized on a continuum and are influenced by the comorbid relationship between eating disorder behaviors and unipolar depression.
a. Why are mental health patients at risk of eating disorders?
1. Severe underweight and malnourishment causes physiological changes.
2. Depression among patients leads to feelings of perfectionism.
3. Anxiety over their environment, medications, and situation.
4. Underlying depression and anxiety in patients with emotional trauma cause physiological changes.
Answer: 4
b. How does perfectionism in eating disorders begin?
1. When a person begins to focus on what they eat and becomes obsessive.
2. When emotional trauma causes a patient not to feel good enough.
3. As the underlying feeling following anxiety and depression over being overweight.
4. Following episodes of bingeing that make them feel worse about themselves.
"Quiz questions on perfectionism and ED risk"
"Quiz questions on depression and ED models"
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