Date of Award
1991
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
First Advisor
Ray Becvar
Second Advisor
Patrick Openlander
Third Advisor
Harry Bradley
Abstract
Eating disorders, bulimia, anorexia, and compulsive eating are a rising concern for the female population as they currently affect women in almost epidemic proportions. Research has enabled us to categorize like-characteristics among those clients who are affected as well as, to develop with some consistency, portraits of the family systems in which these patients develop their symptoms.
A key factor in the family structure is the role that each sibling assumes, which is often directly influenced by the ordinal position of their birth in relationship to their siblings. Research has also identified a categorical profile of characteristics associated with each sibling position.
This study used the birth-order profiles of thirty one women from the St. Louis metropolitan area, diagnosed as currently or previously having an eating disorder. This study sought to identify whether or not a relationship exists between eating disorders and birth-order. The purpose of this study was to develop characteristic profiles of the clients affected with eating disorders.
Recommended Citation
Weber, Mary, "A Relationship Between Birth-Order Position and the Incidence of Eating Disorders" (1991). Theses. 1510.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/1510
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