Maciej Pilecki, Barbara Józefik

Self-image of girls with different subtypes of eating disorders             17-22

Summary

Aim. The aim of the present study was the assessment of the differences in self-image of patients diagnosed with different subtypes of eating disorders.

Subjects and methods. The study used the Polish version of the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire for Adolescents (QSIA). In the statistical analyses, data of 54 patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa restrictive type (ANR), 22 diagnosed with anorexia nervosa binge-eating/purging type (ANBP ), and 36 diagnosed with bulimia nervosa (BUL) were used. Two control groups consisted of 36 girls diagnosed with depressive disorders (DEP) and 85 healthy schoolgirls from Krakow's schools (NOR). Girls from ANR group turned out to be, in a statistically significant way, younger than girls from BUL group. There were no significant differences among the clinical groups in terms of school type or family situation in the analyzed material.

Results. The ANR group differs from the NOR group to its' disadvantage in only 2 scales (Emotional Tone and Body Image), the ANBP group in 5 scales, the BUL and DEP groups in 7 scales. All clinical groups (ANR, ANBP , BUL, DEP) differ from the NOR group to their disadvantage only in the Emotional Tone scale. The ANR group differs from the DEP group to its' advantage in 3 scales (Impulse Control, Family Attitudes, Vocational and Educational Goals). There was no statistically significant difference in any of the scales between the DEP, BUL and ANBP groups. There was no statistically significant difference in any of the scales between ANR and ANBP groups. The BUL group differs from the ANR group to its disadvantage in 6 scales. There were statistically significant differences between the NOR group and the three groups diagnosed with eating disorders only in the Body Image scale.

Conclusions. The obtained results indicate considerable heterogeneity of eating disorders and cause one to pose a question about the mutual relations between bulimia nervosa and depressive disorders.