This research is focused on determining the relationship between eating disorders and demographic, social and health factors, as well as determining neuroticism and characteristics of emotionality in persons suffering from eating disorders. The data used were collected from 2000 to 2010 at the Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital “Sestre Milosrdnice” in Zagreb. The sample consists of 164 patients, 13 male and 151 female. The age range recorded at the time of psychological testing was 9.9-23.5 years (average age 15.6 years). The data were obtained from clinical interviews, Emotional Profile Index (PIE) and the Crown Crisp Experiential Index (CCEI). The results showed that the majority of patients were female, most of them suffering from anorexia nervosa. The most common age group in which the disorder is developed is 12-15 years, psychological treatment following somewhat later. Most of the patients have siblings and are the youngest or the oldest child in the family and most of them achieve excellent results in school. As a reason for the disorder they usually state an intrinsic motivation. Patients suffering from anorexia had a statistically significant lower average value of minimum and maximum body mass index (BMI) in relation to those suffering from bulimia. The obtained PIE profile has shown a statistically significant difference regarding gender on the dimension of self-protection and socially desirable responses, with higher values achieved by male patients. Significant differences were not obtained regarding the type of diagnosis. No statistically significant differences were found for CCEI profiles with regard to gender, but the results showed that female patients suffering from anorexia nervosa achieve lower values on obsessiveness and somatic expression of anxiety.

eating disorders, gender, age, Profile Index of Emotion, Crown Crisp Experiential Index