Melinda A. Green, Christopher M. Davids, Anna K. Skaggs, Cori M. Riopel & Jada J. Hallengren (2008) Femininity and Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders, 16:4, 283-293 

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10640260802115829?casa_token=2dlKJv-a6_gAAAAA%3AG9WlLr3GWBdqZDvsdVd1kpMnH53N3RBLORi03eG9UjlEv4N_ZG7o4qEdI4BE0j1PSPZUxaRGKB1t

“The femininity theory of eating disorders (EDs) specifies that higher levels of femininity are associated with higher levels of ED pathology (Boskind-Lodahl, 1976). Femininity theory suggests women at-risk for EDs endorse traditional feminine gender roles, such as dependence and passivity, and display an exaggerated need for social approval (Boskind-Lodahl, 1976)…

… Srikameswaran, Leichner, & Harper (1984) compared traditional feminine gender role ideologies between a clinical sample of anorexics (n = 22), bulimics (n = 17), and controls (n = 44). The Sex Role Ideology Scale (SRI: Kalin & Tilby, 1978) was used to measure femininity and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT: Garner & Garfinkel, 1979) was used to measure ED symptoms. Srikameswaran & colleagues predicted participants with anorexia nervosa would show decreased femininity relative to controls, while bulimics would show increased femininity. Results indicated no differences in sex role ideology between anorexics, bulimics, and controls…

…Finally, Lewis and Johnson’s (1985) indicated female controls (n = 26) scored higher than women who met DSM-III criteria for bulimia nervosa (n = 38) on the femininity scale of the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI: Bem, 1974; 1981). The results directly refuted the belief that bulimia is associated with higher adherence to traditional feminine gender roles…

…According to Mahalik and colleagues, femininity is a multidimensional construct composed of attitudes and behaviors which differ widely across women depending on their individual patterns of endorsement of the following eight traditional feminine norms: Nice in Relationships, Involvement with Children, Thinness, Sexual Fidelity, Modesty, Involvement in Romantic Relationship, Domestic Behavior, and Investment in Appearance (Mahalik et al., 2005)…

…Femininity is also defined by 1) emphasis on interpersonal relationships, 2) emphasis on portraying modesty, 3) emphasis on romantic relationships, 4) emphasis on domestication, 5) appearance emphasis, 6) emphasis on sexual fidelity, and 7) emphasis on child rearing/nurturance of children.”

The Relationship between feminine gender role stress, body image, and eating disorders. Denise M. Martz, Kevin B Hnadley, Richard M. Eisler. December 1995.

“This suggests that women who have eating disorders report higher than usual levels of stress as a result of rigid adherence to the traditional feminine gender role. Study 2 looked at cardiovascular reactivity to a “feminine” (i.e., body image threat) and a control stressor and determined the FGRS scale could predict which women are threatened by feminine stressors…

…Perhaps a rigid commitment to fulfilling imperatives of the feminine

gender role, such as the focus on one’s physical attractiveness and a need
for approval by others, creates significant stress and explains why more
women than men manifest eating disorders… For instance, items on the femininity scale of the BSRI include “compassionate” and “warm,” whereas the masculine items include “self-reliant” and “independent.”…

…Participants completed the 39-item FGRS scale by rating on a continuum from 0 = Not at all Stressful to 5 = Extremely Stressful how stressful each written situation would be for her. Situations include items such as “being perceived as overweight” and “having an intimate relationship without any romance.”… Factor analysis using a common factor model revealed five homogeneous factors: (a) Fear of Unemotional Relationships. (b) Fear of Physical Unattractiveness. (c) Fear of Victimization. (d) Fear of Behaving Assertively. And (e) Fear of not being Nurturant.

Many women with body image concerns and eating disorders appear to manifest this dysfunction both  as a result of and perhaps as a barrier to forming close and meaningful relationships.
Interview: Each participant was asked:
1. What is your height and weight?
2. Do you think your weight is appropriate for your height? We’ll double check your weight on our scales before you leave.
3. Do you feel heavier than most women?
4. What part of your body are you most concerned abouT?
5. What size show do you wear?
6. What size clothes do you wear? (pants and dress)
7. Do you think that is about average?
Literature surrounding femininity and eating disorders. / Phoebe Logan / Art Practice 3 (2020-2021)[YR] by blogadmin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0