Perceptions of Leisure and an Eating Disorder: An Exploratory Study of Bulimia

Authors

  • Jane E Kauffman
  • Leslie G McBride
  • John T Hultsman
  • David R Black

Keywords:

Bulimia, Eating Disorder, Leisure Counseling, Leisure Participation, , Leisure Satisfaction, Quality o.fLile

Abstract

This exploratory study examines the relative importance of leisure related variables including participation, satisfaction, and perceived quality of life to distinguish between bulimic and nonbulimic individuals. On the basis of the leisure variables of interest and selected demographic characteristics, a discriminant function analysis was computed to classify individuals according to the presence or absence of bulimia and to identify salient predictor variables. The results indicate that the set ofpredictors distinguished significantly between bulimics and nonbulimics and that positive affect, age, and psychological benefits of leisure were most important in explaining group differences. The findings suggest that knowledge of a person's participation in and attitudes toward leisure may be useful in augmenting traditional diagnostic approaches to identifying bulimia and to treating the eating disorder.

Published

1988-01-01

Issue

Section

Regular Papers