Anorexia nervosa as a culture-bound syndrome

It is argued that the disorder can be fruitfully understood in the context of one definition of culture-bound syndromes and two contrasting models of the cross-cultural study of psycho-pathology are outlined in order to contextualize the argument in a particular paradigm.

Abstract

Current psychological theories on anorexia nervosa share a common assumption that symptoms of the condition are related to cultural factors. The present article argues that the disorder can be fruitfully understood in the context of one definition of culture-bound syndromes. By way of introduction two contrasting models of the cross-cultural study of psycho-pathology are outlined in order to contextualize the argument in a particular paradigm. Anorexia nervosa is shown to fit the criteria of the Cassidy/Ritenbaugh definition of culture-bound syndromes, and the definition is shown to have some use in elucidating issues. Implications for a more flexible approach to theory development and therapeutic practice are discussed, and suggestions are made for further work demonstrating the negotiated nature of the disorder.