Date of Award:

5-2016

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Gretchen Gimpel Peacock

Committee

Gretchen Gimpel Peacock

Committee

M. Scott DeBerard

Committee

Scott C. Bates

Abstract

A large body of research has shown that stigmatizing attitudes toward individuals with mental illness are widespread and prevalent. Fewer studies have focused on stigma toward eating disorders, in general, and even less have focused on the stigma of anorexia nervosa (AN), specifically. Preliminary research indicates that AN may be both stigmatizing and admired, but the factors contributing to the perception of AN has not been adequately studied. To date, researchers have yet to examine the role of body size in the perception of and attitudes toward individuals with AN. By showing participants one of three female figures varying only in body size along with a vignette describing an individual with AN, this study sought to extend the current research by examining the effect body weight has on participants’ perceptions of individuals with AN, and identify possible variables that contribute to their perception, such as gender and eating disorder symptomatology.

Findings revealed that greater acceptance/desire of AN and greater perception of the severity of AN were associated with higher levels of eating disorder symptoms. Higher levels of eating disorder symptoms were not significantly associated with lower levels of eating disorder stigma. Contrary to expectations, no significant group differences were found in eating disorder stigma, perceived acceptability of AN, or perceived severity of AN according to target body weight. Since no significant differences were found based on target weight, results indicate that body weight had no effect on stigmatizing attitudes or perceptions of AN. Finally, greater acceptance was not more common among women than men. However, females tended to perceive AN as more severe and reported less stigma toward individuals with EDs than males. These findings contribute to knowledge about what may or may not contribute to the stigma of EDs and the perceptions of acceptability and severity of AN. As treatment seeking for anorexia is low, partly as a result of stigmatization, it is essential to understand attitudes and beliefs about AN to inform the development of effective treatment and interventions.

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