Are type A Tendencies in Women Associated with Eating Disorder Pathology?

This study explored the hypothesis that, for women, eating disorder pathology represents a gender-specific way in which some aspects of the Type A response style manifest themselves. Participants were 555 college women who completed measures of Type A beliefs and behavior, along with two eating disorder questionnaires. Women scoring in the clinical range on both eating disorder measures had significantly higher scores on the Type A measures than women falling below clinical cutoff scores. Furthermore, women with eating disorder pathology reported significantly greater distress over discrepancies between current and ideal weight as well as current and ideal grade point average. These findings support the hypothesis that women with eating disorder pathology display Type A characteristics, especially perfectionism and achievement-striving, which extend to the realm of physical attractiveness. These data have implications for preventing and treating eating disorders among college women with multiple aspirations for success.