Disordered eating in college women: Associations with the mother-daughter relationship

Abstract Purpose Extensive work in the field has found multiple risk factors of disordered eating among women; however, there is limited research surrounding the mother-daughter relationship. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore how the mother-daughter relationship may be either protective or detrimental to the development of disordered eating in college-aged women. Methods A diverse sample of college-aged women (N = 528; mean age 20.15 ± 1.3SD years; 38.6% White) completed an online survey with reliable and valid instruments that assessed disordered eating behaviors (dependent variable) with the following independent variables: aspects of the mother-daughter relationship (maternal regard and responsibility), emphasis on maternal weight and weight control, parent weight talk, eating disorder history, and body mass index. To determine predictors of disordered eating behaviors, four separate multiple linear regression models were conducted. Results The multiple linear regression model predicting disordered eating behaviors revealed that the overall the model accounted for 36.3%% of the variance (F(7,520) = 43.93, p < 0.001). Maternal responsibility, appearance weight control, parent weight talk, and emphasis on maternal weight were the only independent variables significantly (p < 0.05) associated with disordered eating behaviors in the model. That is, conversations surrounding weight and appearance, negative weight talk from mothers, and increased feelings of responsibility for mother’s happiness was associated with increased disordered eating behaviors. Conclusions Findings illustrate the important role mothers have in shaping their daughters eating attitudes and behaviors. Future disordered eating prevention programs and interventions may want to consider developing strategies in helping to improve mother-daughter relationships.