Self-esteem and social anxiety in an adolescent female eating disorder population: age and diagnostic effects

Eat Disord. 2013;21(2):140-53. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2013.761088.

Abstract

This study explored symptoms of social anxiety and multidimensional self-esteem in a clinical, adolescent female eating disorder population. Using self-report measures, data from 344 females revealed significant negative relationships between dimensions of self-esteem and social anxiety. A diagnostic difference emerged, with the restricting subgroup reporting significantly higher perceived physical appearance and global self-worth than those with binge/purge symptoms or bulimia nervosa. No significant age differences or age by diagnosis interaction effects emerged. These findings suggest that in clinical samples of adolescent eating disorders, self-esteem and social anxiety share a significant inverse relationship and seem to remain fairly constant across adolescence.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Body Image
  • Child
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Phobic Disorders / psychology*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Self Concept*
  • Self Report
  • Surveys and Questionnaires