Influencing Factors on Eating Disorders in College Students

Bang, So-Youn; Kim, Soon-Yi; Yang, Kyoung-Mi

The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education 2010;16(2):265-271.
Published online December 31, 2010.

Bang, So-Youn;Kim, Soon-Yi;Yang, Kyoung-Mi;

¹Department of Nursing Science, Youngdong University
²Department of Nursing, Hyechon University
³Department of Nursing, Joongbu University

대학생의 섭식장애에 영향을 미치는 요인

방소연, 김순이, 양경미

¹영동대학교 간호학과
²혜천대학 간호과
³중부대학교 간호학과

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to identify the influencing factors on eating disorders in college students. Method: A descriptive correlational study design was used. Eight hundred fifty-nine college students were administered self-report questionnaires to examine eating habits, self-efficacy, depression, and parent-adolescent communication from May to June, 2010. Collected data were analyzed by the SPSS 15.0 program for t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression. Result: The level of an eating disorder in participants was moderate and it differed by gender, major, and type of living. The eating disorder showed a significant correlation with self-efficacy (r=-.28, p=<.000), depression (r=.23, p=.001), and parents-adolescent communication (r=-.13, p=.008). Self-efficacy (8.2%) and depression (2.1%) were significant predictors to explain the eating disorder. Conclusion: This study provides comprehensive understanding of the influencing factors on eating disorders in college students. It suggests that nursing interventions to improve self-efficacy and decrease depression for management of eating disorder are needed.

Key Words: Students, Eating disorders, Self-efficacy, Depression