By Sachleen Kaur
Introduction
Anorexia nervosa is a complex mental health condition. Its causes are yet to be fully understood. In recent years, studies have been conducted on a potential risk factor in the development of anorexia: perfectionism.
What Recent Research Suggests
A 2016 study, “The Relationship Between Perfectionism and Psychopathology: A Meta Analysis,” (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jclp.22435) was led by Karina Limburg. The objective of this study was to determine whether various psychiatric conditions, including anorexia nervosa, had a correlation with perfectionism. Specifically, a coefficient correlation was calculated between each disorder and the two categories of perfectionism: perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns. Perfectionistic striving refers to individuals setting incredibly high standards for themselves while perfectionistic concern refers to a fear of making mistakes and failure. A correlation coefficient tells us how strongly two things are related to each other. It can range from -1 to 1. A coefficient closer to 1 means there’s a strong positive relationship (as one thing increases, the other also increases), and a coefficient closer to -1 means there’s a strong negative relationship (as one thing increases, the other decreases). If the coefficient is 0, it means there’s no relationship between the two things.
The results showed that the correlation coefficient between perfectionistic strivings and anorexia was r = 0.56 while the coefficient between anorexia and perfectionistic concerns was r = 0.81. According to Pearson’s correlation coefficient scale, a coefficient above 0.5 indicates a strong positive correlation, indicating that higher levels of perfectionism are strongly associated with an increased risk of developing anorexia nervosa.
Can Studies on MBTI Enhance our Understanding?
While there is skepticism regarding the validity of the Myers-Briggs personality type test (MBTI), research suggests that the MBTI test is as reliable as other personality tests. A study by Salter, Evans, and Forney’s (1997) and Capraro and Capraro (2002) showed that the MBTI personality test has a strong test-retest reliability, meaning individuals get consistent results over time (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/my-brothers-keeper/202002/in-defense-the-myers-briggs).
Some researchers have wondered whether the Myers-Briggs personality test might be able to provide insight into how perfectionistic personality traits play a role in anorexia. In 2010, Sarah A. Williams conducted an interesting study, “The association between Myers-Briggs personality type and eating disorders.” (https://weightmatters.co.uk/2013/11/11/myers-briggs-personality-types-anorexia-and-body-dysmorphia/) Williams’ aim was to determine if certain MBTI personality types presented a higher risk of developing eating disorders. Her study involved 55 patients from an eating disorder clinic in New York. Her results showed that among these patients, the INFJ personality type was the most represented in the participants (18.5%) with the INTJ type being the second most prominent (10.63%). The INTJ and INFJ personality types are regarded as two of the MBTI types that are most prone to perfectionism. This raises the question of whether future studies on the MBTI of individuals diagnosed with anorexia could help us better understand the link between perfectionism and anorexia nervosa.
Conclusion
A lot more research is still needed to understand the possible connection between perfectionism and anorexia. A deeper understanding of this is crucial since it enhances our knowledge of this condition and enables us to shape more effective treatment strategies, such as incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address perfectionistic tendencies (https://adaa.org/sites/default/files/Antony_MasterClinician.pdf). CBT aims to help individuals recognize and challenge perfectionistic beliefs and behaviors, which can support the recovery from anorexia nervosa.
Sachleen Kaur is a psychology student at the University of Michigan, with a strong interest in abnormal psychology, neuropsychology, and psychopharmacology. She is passionate about mental health advocacy and volunteers with NAMI to help challenge stigma, support those affected by mental illness, and promote better understanding of the psychological struggles many people face.