Is family environment a mediator of bulimia and child sexual abuse?
Reports concerning the high rate of child sexual abuse in bulimic populations have not generally been supported by empirical investigations. The current study addressed methodological problems that may have accounted for insignificant results, and investigated family environment as a possible mediator of the relationship. Results indicate a significant correlation between bulimia and child sexual abuse within a sample of college women (n = 786). Furthermore, both women with bulimia and victims of child sexual abuse reported families that were low in cohesion and independence, and higher in conflict and control. Family environment did not significantly mediate or moderate the relationship between bulimia and child sexual abuse. However, child sexual abuse mediated the relationship between bulimia and a restrictive/unexpressive family environment.
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations