Haku Yamane | 2025 I.S. Symposium

Name: Haku Yamane
Title: Perfectionism and Past Trauma: Predictors of Eating Disorder Risk in College Students
Major: Neuroscience
Advisors: Grit Herzmann; Amy Jo Stavenzer

Eating disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder, are multifactorial conditions that can cause severe physical and psychological harm. Some studies have shown a strong correlation between eating disorder traits and possible influencing factors such as body image shame, emotional distress, and perfectionism, as well as traumatic childhood experiences, though perfectionism and trauma are not typically studied together. This study examined 77 college students through an online survey utilizing the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0), Body Image Shame Scale (BISS), Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale (PANPS-SF), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q). Correlational and multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess relationships with disordered eating traits and their predictive value within a model. Correlational analysis revealed strong associations between disordered eating behaviors and body image shame, negative perfectionism, depression, anxiety, and stress. Although ACE factors did not show a strong association from correlational analysis, multiple regression analysis identified sexual abuse as a significant predictor compared to other ACE categories. While ACE did not exhibit a direct correlation, findings suggest that the timing and frequency of exposure to adverse childhood events play a critical role, with greater effects observed for repeated occurrences. By identifying key risk factors for eating disorders, institutions, healthcare providers, and family members can take preventive and intervention support to reduce their development and improve both individual and public health outcomes.

Posted in Symposium 2025 on May 1, 2025.