ERIC Number: EJ775283
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2003-Jul
Pages: 11
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-0167
EISSN: N/A
Revisiting the Latent Structure of Eating Disorders: Taxometric Analyses with Nonbehavioral Indicators
Tylka, Tracy L.; Subich, Linda Mezydlo
Journal of Counseling Psychology, v50 n3 p276-286 Jul 2003
Researchers have debated whether clinical eating disorders are best conceptualized as one extreme along a continuum of degree or as qualitatively different from less severe eating disturbances. Taxometric analysis, a set of procedures that assess the structure of a given disorder by detecting whether a latent taxon exists among its indicators, has just begun to be applied to eating disorder research. Its application to this domain may clarify whether eating disorders best conform to a dimensional (i.e., continuum) or taxonic model. The latent structure of eating disorders was examined in a sample of 532 college women by using 2 popular taxometric procedures (i.e., maximum covariance analysis and latent mode analysis) with 5 nonbehavioral indicators of eating disorder symptomatology. Results across procedures suggest that the data are more indicative of a dimensional solution, as no latent taxon was uncovered.
Descriptors: Eating Disorders, Classification, Models, College Students, Females, Statistical Analysis, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Higher Education
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org/publications
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A