Anorexia nervosa among French adolescent females in relation to self-esteem, coping strategies, anger expression and anger control

Abstract

Aim: This study sought to determine the dimensions of self-esteem, coping strategies, anger expression and anger control among French women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Material and method: A clinical group of 32 females suffering from anorexia and 57 healthy females completed an anonymous questionnaire form concerning family life, their state of health and/or the course of their illness, the Self Esteem Inventory, the Brief COPE evaluation, and the Self-Expression Control Scale. Results: Compared with controls, French anorexic adolescents showed low social, familial and general selfesteem. Eating-disordered women used emotional methods of coping more often than the control group and they conceptualised their anger against themselves. Conclusions: We concluded that anorexia nervosa is inseparably connected with low self-esteem, as well as an inability to cope with one’s own emotions, personal problems and feelings.