Date of Award

1987

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

First Advisor

James D. Evans

Second Advisor

Nancy C. Higgins

Third Advisor

Sandra G. Logan

Abstract

This study consisted of (a) a review of the research literature on bulimia, (b) five case studies of bulimic individuals, and (c) an analysis and comparison of the symptomatologic themes reported in the literature on bulimia and the salient characteristics of the bulimic individuals examined through the case studies. In the review of the research literature, attention was focused on the sociocultural, biological, and psychological factors that may contribute to the etiology of bulimia . The review also identified several symptoms or themes that are associated with bulimia. These were alienation from feelings, powerlessness, need for approval, control, avoidance of emotional intimacy, and addictive and impulsive behaviors. For the case studies of bulimic individuals, there were 5 subjects. Four were female and one was male. All had been diagnosed as having bulimia on the basis of DSM III criteria, and all were inpatients in a hospital eating disorders unit. Data were obtained from t he subjects through structured interviews and were used to construct life histories tracing the development of bulimia in each subject. The analysis and comparison of the research review and the case studies found that the symptomatologic themes reported in the research literature were present in the subjects of the case studies.

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