Perfectionistic concerns and binge eating in mother-daughter dyads: An actor-partner interdependence model

Andy J Kim; Simon B Sherry; Sherry H Stewart; Martin M Smith; Alexandra D Popowich; Aislin R Mushquash

doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2023.101702

Perfectionistic concerns and binge eating in mother-daughter dyads: An actor-partner interdependence model

Eat Behav. 2023 Jan:48:101702. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2023.101702. Epub 2023 Jan 7.

Authors

Andy J Kim¹, Simon B Sherry², Sherry H Stewart³, Martin M Smith⁴, Alexandra D Popowich⁵, Aislin R Mushquash⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, B3H4R2, Canada. Electronic address: andy.kim@dal.ca.
² Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, B3H4R2, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, B3H2E2, Canada. Electronic address: simon.sherry@dal.ca.
³ Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, B3H4R2, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, B3H2E2, Canada. Electronic address: sstewart@dal.ca.
⁴ Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, V6T1Z4, Canada. Electronic address: martin.smith@psych.ubc.ca.
⁵ Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, Canada, P7B5E1. Electronic address: adpopowi@lakeheadu.ca.
⁶ Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, Canada, P7B5E1. Electronic address: aislin.mushquash@lakeheadu.ca.

PMID: 36640491
DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2023.101702

Abstract

Perfectionism is linked to a range of psychopathology, including binge eating. Our study enhanced understanding of the role maternal perfectionistic concerns play in the maintenance of binge eating in emerging adult daughters. A sample of 73 mother-daughter dyads (mean age = 49.51 years for mothers and 19.89 years for daughters) reported on perfectionistic concerns (composite of doubt about actions and concern over mistakes), binge eating, and binge drinking (composite of frequency, severity, and perceptions). Using actor-partner interdependence modelling, mothers' and daughters' perfectionistic concerns were positively associated with their own binge eating (actor effects). Mothers' perfectionistic concerns were positively associated with daughters' binge eating (partner effect), but not vice versa. Perfectionistic concerns did not show significant actor or partner associations with binge drinking, supporting the specificity of our model. Findings suggest binge eating has characterological and interpersonal antecedents.

Keywords: Binge drinking; Binge eating; Daughters; Mothers; Perfectionism; Perfectionistic concerns.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Binge Drinking*
Binge-Eating Disorder*
Bulimia*
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Mother-Child Relations
Mothers
Nuclear Family
Perfectionism*

Grants and funding

CIHR/Canada