State self-esteem ratings in women with bulimia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in remission

Objective: Bulimia nervosa (BN) is associated with low self-esteem. This study was designed to assess whether low self-esteem persists in nondepressed individuals who have recovered from BN (BN-R). Method: Study groups included BN (n = 22), BN-R (n = 20), and healthy controls (n = 42). Participants were medication-free, and none met criteria for current major depression. Assessment instruments included the State Self-Esteem Scale (SSES), a self-rating scale designed to measure state-related changes in self-esteem. Results: Consistent with previous reports, SSES scores for BN were lower than for controls (p < .001). For EN-R, SSES scores were higher than for BN (p < .001), but lower than for controls (p < .025). For BN-R, scores on the SSES Appearance subscale were inversely correlated with ratings of dietary restraint (p < .005). Conclusion: This study provides new evidence for persistent low self-esteem following recovery from EN. Follow-up studies are needed to assess whether low self-esteem contributes to recurrent dieting and risk for relapse. (c) 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.