Social adjustment over 10 years following diagnosis with bulimia nervosa

Abstract

Objective: The authors sought to describe social adjustment among women diagnosed with bulimia nervosa more than a decade earlier. Method: A cohort of women who were diagnosed with bulimia nervosa between 1981 and 1987 were located and invited to participate in follow-up assessments. Results: Although the current sample demonstrated considerable improvement in disordered eating behaviors and social adjustment, measures of social adjustment suggested continued impairment in interpersonal relationships and only a modest association with eating disorder outcome. Discussion: Continued difficulties in social adjustment may reflect an underlying vulnerability from which disordered eating developed. Treatments for bulimia nervosa may benefit from including interpersonal skills training.