Abstract
M.A.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by an intense fear of gaining
weight, a refusal to maintain a minimally normal body weight and a significant
disturbance in the perception of the shape or size of his or her body (American
Psychiatric Association, 2000). Anorexia nervosa typically begins in mid-to-late
adolescence (age 14-18 years). Follow-up studies show that only 10% of those with
anorexia nervosa fully recover. While almost half may show partial recovery, many
continue to be seriously impaired by depression, social phobias or recurrent symptoms
(Herzog et al., 1993). Early onset (before 16) may be associated with a less negative
prognosis, although a far from favourable one (Theander, 1996).
Considerable clinical literature exists on the etiology of anorexia nervosa, but for the
purpose of the current study cognitive factors that may relate to anorexia nervosa
were examined. Specifically, the study focused on two self-evaluations: self-efficacy
and self-esteem. Generalized self-efficacy can be defined as a global confidence in
one's coping ability across a wide range of demanding or novel situations (Schwarzer,
1993). Self-esteem is defined as the evaluation that the individual makes and
customarily maintains with regard to himself/ herself (Rosenberg, 1965).
To ascertain levels of self-efficacy and self-esteem, the Generalized Self-Efficacy
Scale (GSE) (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1993) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE)
(Rosenberg, 1965) were administered in an experimental group of white adolescent
girls diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (n=24) as well as a control group (n=24). An
ex-post-facto experimental control group correlational design was implemented, andtwo-tailed t-tests conducted to determine the significance of differences regarding
levels of self-efficacy and self-esteem between the two groups.
The results indicated that there was no significant difference between the
experimental group and control group with regard to their levels of self-efficacy.
However, the experimental group exhibited lower levels of self-esteem in comparison
to the control group.
These results indicate that generalized self-efficacy, as a cognitive self-evaluation on
its own, does not distinguish between adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa and a
control group, and that domain-specific self-efficacy should also be considered in
future research. The results further confirmed that girls diagnosed with anorexia
nervosa exhibit lower levels of self-esteem as suggested in previous research (e.g.
Wilksch & Wade, 2004).
With regard to future research, larger groups are needed to elaborate on the current
findings. Furthermore, additional research investigating the role of other aspects of
self-esteem such as outer self-esteem and inner or trait self-esteem, as well as other
aspects of self-efficacy such as domain specific self-efficacy, could contribute to the
current findings.