CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Projects In-Progress
Is Sorority Involvement Related to Disordered Eating?
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Psychology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Michael Bordieri
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Abstract
Purpose
This project will explore the relationship between sorority membership and disordered eating. Disordered eating has been reported as one of the 10 most common causes in psychological distress among young adult women internationally. These disorders have been especially well documented on college campuses (Schwitzer et al., 2014). In addition, sorority membership and the potentially negative social aspects that ensue may be associated with an increased risk in disordered eating behaviors. It is necessary to identify ways that sorority membership could negatively affect eating behaviors and eating disorders (Schwitzer, et al. 2014). My hypothesis is that greater sorority involvement and sorority social identity will predict greater eating disorder symptoms and body image dissatisfaction. Further, I will explore whether sorority involvement and sorority social identity will interact to predict study outcomes.
Procedure
IRB approval has been obtained and data collection is currently in progress. Study constructs were measured using the following scales: the EAT-26 (Garner, et al., 1982), Body Shape Questionnaire (Cooper et al., 1987), Group Identification Survey (Sani, et al., 2012), and Sorority Involvement.
Results
Pearson’s correlations will be calculated to explore relationships between study variables, and we expect that there will be positive correlation between sorority involvement and disordered eating and/or body shape dissatisfaction. We also expect that there will be a positive correlation between sorority identification and disordered eating and/or body shape dissatisfaction. A moderation analysis will be conducted with sorority involvement as the predictor, sorority group identification as the moderator, and the EAT-26 as the outcome. In addition, a moderation analysis will be conducted with sorority involvement as the predictor, sorority group identification as the moderator, and the BSQ as the outcome.
Conclusion
The findings of this study have the potential to inform future prevention and interventions for eating disorders. If the hypotheses are supported interventions involving involvement and identification may be implemented among sororities to protect members from disordered eating. (Schwitzer, et al. 2014) This will benefit general knowledge by expanding our ability to help sorority members minimize the risk of developing disordered eating.
Spring Scholars Week 2023 Event
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Other Scholars Week Event
also a honors thesis
Is Sorority Involvement Related to Disordered Eating?
Abstract
Purpose
This project will explore the relationship between sorority membership and disordered eating. Disordered eating has been reported as one of the 10 most common causes in psychological distress among young adult women internationally. These disorders have been especially well documented on college campuses (Schwitzer et al., 2014). In addition, sorority membership and the potentially negative social aspects that ensue may be associated with an increased risk in disordered eating behaviors. It is necessary to identify ways that sorority membership could negatively affect eating behaviors and eating disorders (Schwitzer, et al. 2014). My hypothesis is that greater sorority involvement and sorority social identity will predict greater eating disorder symptoms and body image dissatisfaction. Further, I will explore whether sorority involvement and sorority social identity will interact to predict study outcomes.
Procedure
IRB approval has been obtained and data collection is currently in progress. Study constructs were measured using the following scales: the EAT-26 (Garner, et al., 1982), Body Shape Questionnaire (Cooper et al., 1987), Group Identification Survey (Sani, et al., 2012), and Sorority Involvement.
Results
Pearson’s correlations will be calculated to explore relationships between study variables, and we expect that there will be positive correlation between sorority involvement and disordered eating and/or body shape dissatisfaction. We also expect that there will be a positive correlation between sorority identification and disordered eating and/or body shape dissatisfaction. A moderation analysis will be conducted with sorority involvement as the predictor, sorority group identification as the moderator, and the EAT-26 as the outcome. In addition, a moderation analysis will be conducted with sorority involvement as the predictor, sorority group identification as the moderator, and the BSQ as the outcome.
Conclusion
The findings of this study have the potential to inform future prevention and interventions for eating disorders. If the hypotheses are supported interventions involving involvement and identification may be implemented among sororities to protect members from disordered eating. (Schwitzer, et al. 2014) This will benefit general knowledge by expanding our ability to help sorority members minimize the risk of developing disordered eating.