Associations among eating disorder symptoms and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) in college students.

PURPOSE

To identify associations between eating disorder (ED) attitudes and behaviors and scores on the MMPI-2-RF in college students.

METHODS

The study included 425 undergraduate students (38.5% males and 61.5% females) with a mean age of 19.13 (SD = 1.77). Measures included the MMPI-2-RF and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Correlations and relative risk ratios were computed between MMPI-2-RF scores and ED variables.

RESULTS

Scores on several MMPI-2-RF Scales were associated with the presence of subthreshold ED symptoms. Manifestations of emotional/internalizing dysfunction were associated with all ED symptom presentations.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study identified narrowly defined personality and psychopathology constructs relevant to, and found across college students experiencing various subthreshold ED symptoms. Considering this additional information in ED screening or treatment planning could reduce the likelihood of subthreshold symptoms worsening and increase the effectiveness of ED interventions with at-risk college student populations.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies.