A pilot comparison of purging and non-purging bulimics.

This study compared (1) purging bulimics (those who terminate binging with self-induced vomiting and/or excessive use of laxatives), N = 26; (2) non-purging bulimics, N = 24; and (3) control subjects (in whom no eating problems were apparent), N = 24. These groups were examined empirically on several personality and demographic variables. Additionally, procedures were taken to control for the effects that being overweight may have had on the personality characteristics, which surprisingly has not been undertaken in previous research on bulimia. The comparison of the bulimics (purging and non-purging bulimics grouped together) with the controls empirically confirmed former clinical observations that have linked bulimics with low self-esteem, high anxiety, external locus of control, and a high incidence of maternal and family obesity. With regard to the comparison between the purging and non-purging bulimics, no significant differences between them appeared on any of the dimensions examined here.