Body dissatisfaction is a robust risk factor for disordered eating and is thought to be especially
problematic in the presence of high levels of perfectionism. The aim of the current study was to investigate what
types of perfectionism were associated with body dissatisfaction. Participants were 1083 women aged 28 to
40 years, with a mean age of 35 years (SD=2.11). Self-reports on perfectionism (using the Frost Multidimensional
Perfectionism Scale), weight, height, desired weight, and current and ideal figural stimuli were analysed for the
current study. Two measures of body dissatisfaction were utilised: discrepancy between the current and desired
weight, and discrepancy between the current and ideal figural stimuli.
Results: Linear regressions controlling for current body mass index (BMI)/current silhouette examined the
relationship between desired BMI/silhouette and simultaneous entry of the 6 sub-scales of the perfectionism
measure. A lower desired BMI was associated with higher levels of Concern over Mistakes and Organisation, and a
smaller ideal silhouette was associated with higher levels of Concern over Mistakes and Doubt about Actions and
Organisation.
Conclusions: These findings confirm the pertinence of different dimensions of perfectionism to body
dissatisfaction, and suggest avenues to explore in terms of universal prevention work.Grant 160009 from the National Health and Medical Research Council
(NHMRC) supported this work. The authors would like to thank the twins for
their participation in this research, and Ms Jacqueline Bergin for coordinating
the data collection. Administrative support for data collection was
received from the Australian Twin Registry that is supported by an Enabling
Grant (ID 310667) from the NHMRC administered by the University of
Melbourne. Publication costs of this research were supported by the
National Eating Disorders Collaboration
