Eating disorders and representations of the role of women in China: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE

This qualitative study examines the representations of young Chinese girls and women with eating disorders (EDs) about the role of women in China, because conflicting societal values for women may foster the development of EDs there.

METHOD

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 adolescent girls or young women hospitalized for an ED and with eight of their parents. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to explore the data.

RESULT

Three superordinate themes emerged from the participants' narratives: the thin ideal in Chinese society; the experience of gender-related pressure; and independence and autonomization in a changing society. The ideal of thinness prevails, both in interpersonal relationships and in social roles. Highly codified representations persist, limiting women's opportunities. The participants and their parents show substantial ambivalence about independence; the young women have real difficulty in making decisions, thus failing to adopt roles that accord with their aspirations.

DISCUSSION

Young girls' and women's representations of their gender could have implications in the development of EDs, mediated by their focus on thinness and their difficulties in constructing their identity, in developing autonomy and self-esteem, as well as family conflict. These findings indicate that construction of femininity in China is unsettled by rapid societal changes.