Aspects of the social networks of anorexic (N=34) and non-anorexic (N=35) women were examined according to hypotheses derived from social network theory and research and from the literature pertaining to anorexia nervosa. The nature of the social network was discussed from the perspective of Pattison's (1977a) psychodynamic psychosocial systems theory. Subjects were compared on selected social network variables using the Pattison Psychosocial Inventory (PPI). The California Psychological Inventory (CPI) and the Family Environment Scale (FES) were used to investigate the contribution of certain personality and environmental variables to social network variation. Statistical analyses of the difference between means were tested using the Hotelling's T² procedure followed by univariate t-tests. Analyses of proportions were performed using z-tests. The Bonferroni inequality was employed in order to reduce the probability of Type I error when determining the statistical significance of the univariate t-tests and z-tests. The null hypothesis was accepted for the majority of the results. Only one social network variable, total network size, significantly differentiated anorexic and control subjects, although several other variables were approaching statistical significance. Various contrasting explanations of the results were discussed. For example, it is possible that anorexia nervosa is not a homogeneous or singular nosological entity and does not inevitably result in predictable and largely invariant social impairment. It was proposed that recent typologies of anorexia nervosa may yield significant between-group variation in social network variables. Furthermore, social networks may vary with the degree of severity and/or chronicity of the anorexic condition. The correlational analyses produced several statistically significant results. Regarding environmental (FES) variables, both cohesion and independence were positively correlated with support from family network members. Contrary to hypotheses, however, interpersonal effectiveness (CPI) achieved only weak and non-significant correlations with social network size and support. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

The eating disorders, encompassing both bulimia and anorexia nervosa, have become a matter of increasing concern for mental health professionals. The presence of bulimic symptoms within the syndrome of anorexia nervosa has been associated with greater individual and family psychopathology as well as with poorer prognosis when compared to restricter type anorectics. This study hypothesizes that when compared with a normal control group, non-anorectic bulimics would show higher levels of individual psychopathology and family dysfunction, and more disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. This study further hypothesizes that an anorectic group would exhibit a similar pattern on these variables due to the presence of bulimic symptoms in many anorectics. These hypotheses were confirmed and support was generated for the proposition that bulimia even in normal weight persons is associated with significant pathology comparable to that documented in the bulimic subtype of anorexia nervosa.

Abstract not available

Includes bibliographical references (leaves [287]-309). Concerned with a group of people's everyday experiences of anorexia. The fieldwork on which the thesis is based was conducted in multiple sites (Vancouver, Edinburgh, and Adelaide) over 15 months (August 1998-October 1999) and deals with 44 women and 3 men ranging in ages from 14-55. Primarily concerned with the processes that propelled them towards and away from this phenomenon: the desires, connections, disconnections, practice, contested performances and struggles of becoming and unbecoming 'anorexic'.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves [287]-309). / vii, 309 leaves : col. ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Concerned with a group of people's everyday experiences of anorexia. The fieldwork on which the thesis is based was conducted in multiple sites (Vancouver, Edinburgh, and Adelaide) over 15 months (August 1998-October 1999) and deals with 44 women and 3 men ranging in ages from 14-55. Primarily concerned with the processes that propelled them towards and away from this phenomenon: the desires, connections, disconnections, practice, contested performances and struggles of becoming and unbecoming 'anorexic'. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Anthropology and Social Inquiry, 2002

Chow Yuet-ming. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 254-262). / Abstracts in English and Chinese, appendix in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgement --- p.iv / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Rationale for Selecting this Research Topic --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Research Objectives --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Research Questions --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Overview of the Present Thesis --- p.5 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Literature review --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1 --- Anorexia Nervosa in Western Countries --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Historical Perspective --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Biomedical Perspective --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Physiological manifestation of anorexia nervosa patients --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Behavioral manifestation of anorexia nervosa patients --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Psychological Models --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.3.1 --- Bruch ´ةs view --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.3.2 --- Minuchin´ةs view --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.3.3 --- Palazzoli 's view --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Sociological Perspective --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Summary of Part I (2.1) --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2 --- Psychology of Self-development --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- "Erikson ,s identity formation" --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Women self-development --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Bowen's differentiation of self --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Summary of Part II (2.2) --- p.46 / Chapter 2.3 --- Anorexia Nervosa in Hong Kong Context --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- The notion of self in traditional Chinese family --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Women position in Hong Kong --- p.55 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Related research in Hong Kong --- p.62 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Summary of Part III (2.3) --- p.69 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Theoretical framework --- p.71 / Chapter 3.1 --- Theoretical Framework as Summarized from the Literature Review --- p.71 / Chapter 3.2 --- Definition of Terms --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Anorexia nervosa --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Family --- p.78 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Family interaction --- p.79 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Family rule --- p.79 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Family myths --- p.80 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Family myths as quest for meaning --- p.80 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Meaning --- p.80 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Power --- p.81 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Power struggle --- p.81 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Differentiation of self --- p.81 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Research Methodology --- p.83 / Chapter 4.1 --- General Overview --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2 --- Research Methodology of this Study --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Rationale in Selecting Qualitative Method --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Research Design --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Unit of Analysis --- p.90 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Sampling --- p.90 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Methods of Data Collection --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.5.1 --- Direct Observation of the Family Interviews of AN families --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.5.2 --- Participant Observation in an AN Mutual Support Group --- p.94 / Chapter 4.2.5.3 --- Summary of the Case Study Protocol of this Study --- p.96 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Time Frame for Data Collection --- p.96 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Method of Analysis --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Validity and Reliability of this Study --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.9 --- Summary of Chapter --- p.98 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Results of the Study :Data Gathered from Family Interview Sessions --- p.100 / Chapter 5.1 --- Case History --- p.100 / Chapter 5.2 --- Results Gathered from Family Interview Sessions --- p.104 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Having difficulties in differentiating from the family and self- starvation as a means of asserting the personal boundariesin the families --- p.104 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Being triangulated in the parents' marital discords and self- starvation as a means of diluting their conflicts --- p.122 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Self-sacrificing for the family interest --- p.131 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- "Being helpless and powerless in the families, self-starvation as a means of empowering the mothers in the families " --- p.134 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- Results of the Study:Data Gathered from Mutual Support Group Sessions --- p.138 / Chapter 6.1 --- Case History --- p.138 / Chapter 6.2 --- Results Gathered from Mutual Support Group sessions --- p.140 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Having difficulties in handling peer relationship --- p.140 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Having difficulties in resisting their mothers intrusiveness to their personal boundaries and self-starvation as a means of exerting their personal boundaries --- p.143 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Being triangulated in their parents marital discords and self- starvation as a means of diluting the marital conflicts --- p.149 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Acting for their mothers in the families --- p.149 / Chapter 6.3 --- Cross-checking of findings with group members and worker --- p.161 / Chapter Chapter 7: --- Discussions and Conclusion --- p.163 / Chapter 7.1 --- Research Findings of this Study --- p.163 / Chapter 7.2 --- Contributions of this Study --- p.173 / Chapter 7.3 --- Limitations of this Study --- p.174 / Chapter 7.4 --- Recommendation --- p.175 / Chapter 7.4.1 --- Future Research --- p.175 / Chapter 7.4.1.1 --- Proposed Theoretical Framework for Future Study --- p.175 / Chapter 7.4.1.2 --- Proposed Methodology --- p.179 / Chapter 7.4.2 --- Management of AN patients --- p.179 / Chapter 7.4.3 --- Prevention of AN --- p.181 / Appendix I: The Chinese verbatim of family interview sessions --- p.183 / Appendix II: The Chinese verbatim of mutual support group sessions --- p.234 / List of Figures: / Figure 1: Summary of the framework from western literature --- p.75 / "Figure 2: Interplay among individual, family and society " --- p.76 / Figure 3: Socio-demographic characteristics of the AN patients and their families of the family interview sessions --- p.91 / Figure 4: Socio-demographic characteristics of the AN patients and their families of the mutual support group --- p.92 / Figure 5: Summary of the proposed theoretical framework of Understanding self-starvation in Hong Kong --- p.178 / Bibliography --- p.254