Rumination as a mediator of perfectionism and weight preoccupation: A comparison of three at-risk populations

Body image dissatisfaction and weight preoccupation are factors common to the clinical presentation of eating disorders. Previous research has implicated normal and neurotic perfectionism in eating disorders in clinical populations. The present study further examined the relationship between perfectionism and weight and shape disturbance in three at-risk populations: college women, adolescent athletes, and female adult health club members. Neurotic perfectionism was the stronger predictor of body image disturbance. Rumination was tested and found to be a mediator of perfectionism and weight preoccupation. Rumination perfectly mediated the path between normal perfectionism and weight preoccupation while it partially mediated neurotic perfectionism and weight preoccupation. Groups differed significantly on neurotic perfectionism and rumination. All three groups experienced body image disturbance to a degree. Rumination emerged as an important variable, and clinical implications are discussed regarding these predictor variables in women already at risk to eating pathology.