Cross-cultural Examination of Differences Regarding Eating Attitudes and Depression of International University Students

Yıl 2018, Cilt: 1 Sayı: 1, 29 - 41, 31.05.2018

Sultan Okumuşoğlu

Öz

Globally
increasing prevalence of eating disorders emphasizes the existence of eating
psychopathologies across cultures. Investigating eating disorders and
depression among emerging adults across ethnic/racial diversity is important
regarding theory and interventions. Hence, examination of differences regarding
eating attitudes and depression of international university students from
Africa and Asia continents was aimed. “Eating Attitudes Test-26” (EAT-26) and
“The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised” (CESD-R) were
used for data collection. Participants are 108 (84 Africans, 24 Asians)
university students. Asian students’ and females’ EAT-26 scores were determined
as higher.  Regarding depression scores, %14,81 of the all
participants (%8,3 of the African and %37,5 of the Asian students) were found
above the pathological cut point. But no differences were detected between
groups except ‘suicide ideas’. Disordered eating attitudes correlated
positively with depressive tendencies and also with ‘sadness’, ‘tiredness’ and
‘suicide ideas’ besides compensating behaviors like ‘laxative diuretic usage’.
Results demonstrated some practical and theoretical implications. As well as
being consistent with cross-cultural findings regarding eating disorders,
results seems consistent with the criteria and the related literature revealing
co-existing symptoms of eating disorders, comorbidity between eating disorders
and depression and also with Cognitive Theory. 

Anahtar Kelimeler

Eating disorders, depression, African university students, Asian university student

Kaynakça

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