Self-discrepancy theory as a framework for understanding bulimic symptomatology and associated distress.

This study explored the utility of self-discrepancy theory for understanding bulimic symptomatology and associated negative affect. Female undergraduates (n = 76) completed measures of self-discrepancy and bulimic symptoms and, one month later, completed depression and anxiety measures. As hypothesized, actual:ideal discrepancy was associated uniquely with bulimic symptomatology, but only in the realm of appearance-related attributes. Although neither actual:ideal nor actual:ought general discrepancies from the self standpoint were related to bulimia, discrepancies from the mother standpoint significantly predicted bulimic behaviors