ERIC Number: EJ817051
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: N/A
Cultural Factors in Collegiate Eating Disorder Pathology: When Family Culture Clashes with Individual Culture
Tomiyama, A. Janet; Mann, Traci
Journal of American College Health, v57 n3 p309-314 Nov-Dec 2008
Objective: The authors evaluated the validity of familial enmeshment (extreme proximity in family relationships) as a risk factor for eating disorders across cultural value orientations. They tested the hypothesis that although familial enmeshment may be a risk factor for eating disorder pathology for (1) participants of non-Asian descent or (2) culturally independent participants, enmeshment will not be a risk factor for (1) participants of Asian descent or (2) culturally interdependent participants. Participants: 255 undergraduate women participated. Methods: Participants completed questionnaires on cultural value orientations, enmeshment, and eating disorder pathology. Results: As hypothesized, enmeshment was related to eating disorder pathology in non-Asian American and culturally independent participants, but not in Asian American and culturally interdependent participants. Conclusions: Depending on cultural values, enmeshment may or may not be a risk factor for eating disorders. This study highlights the importance of examining risk factors in the appropriate cultural framework when considering college student mental health. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Family Life, Eating Disorders, Pathology, At Risk Persons, Student Behavior, Cultural Differences, Family Influence, Questionnaires, Family Relationship, Values, Cultural Influences, Asian Americans, Asian Culture, Acculturation, Females, Undergraduate Students, Whites, African Americans
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A