Religion orientations and eating disorders.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present case-control study was to evaluate the relationships between eating disorder (ED) psychopathology and two different religious orientations: intrinsic and extrinsic.

METHODS

Twenty-three anorexia nervosa, 10 bulimia nervosa and 39 binge eating disorder patients were compared with 72 healthy control subjects, using the Religious Orientation Scale (ROS).

RESULTS

ED patients showed higher scores on the extrinsic subscale and lower intrinsic religiousness subscale compared to healthy controls. No significant differences were observed between ED groups in terms of ROS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher extrinsic religiousness was associated with the presence of ED, whereas intrinsic religiousness may represent a protective factor.