The relationship between orthorectic symptoms, eating attitude, self-esteem and perfectionism

Objective: The aim of this research was to analyze the relationship between orthorectic symptoms, eating attitude, self-esteem and perfectionism in adulthood and to examine the differeces among participants with various sociodemographic features. Methods: The research sample consisted of 523 adults (287 females and 236 males) with no psychiatric disorder and a mean age of 27.22±5.99. All participants were applied a Sociodemographic Features and Information Form, the ORTO-11 Test (ORTO-11), Eating Attitude Test (EAT-40), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS). Results: The results revealed negative significant correlations between ORTO-11 scores and YTT-40 scores; negative significant correlations between ORTO-11 scores and the FMPS total and subscale scores (except for the parental criticism subscale); positive significant correlations between YTT-40 scores and FMPS scores (total and subdimensions). Besides, no significant correlations were observed between RSES scores, ORTO-11 and YTT-40 scores. The hierarchical regression analysis showed that FMPS subscale of personal standards and organization scores predicted ORTO-11 scores, personal standards scores predicted YTT-40 scores whereas RSES scores did not predict ORTO-11 and YTT-40 scores. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, as orthorectic symptoms increased, disordered eating attitudes and perfectionism levels (except for the parental criticism subscale) increased. Besides, as perfectionism levels increased, disordered eating attitudes increased, as well. Perfectionism subscales of personal standards and organization predicted orthorectic symptoms; personal standards predicted disordered eating attitudes. Besides, orthorectic symptoms and disordered eating attitudes did not associated with self-esteem and self-esteem did not predict orthorectic symptoms and disordered eating attitudes.