Abstract
Objective
Adverse parenting experiences are commonly linked to eating pathology. A schema‐based model of the development and maintenance of eating pathology proposes that one of the potential mediators of the link between parenting and eating pathology might be the development of schema maintenance processes—mechanisms that operate to help the individual avoid intolerable emotions.
Method
To test this hypothesis, 353 female students and 124 female eating‐disordered clients were recruited. They completed a measure of perceived parenting experiences as related to schema development (Young Parenting Inventory‐Revised (YPI‐R)), two measures of schema processes (Young Compensatory Inventory; Young–Rygh Avoidance Inventory (YRAI)) and a measure of eating pathology (Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI)).
Results
In support of the hypothesis, certain schema processes did mediate the relationship between specific perceptions of parenting and particular forms of eating pathology, although these were different for the clinical and non‐clinical samples.
Discussion
In those patients where parenting is implicated in the development of eating pathology, treatment might need to target the cognitive processes that can explain this link. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.