Eating disorders and personality correlates in men: A validity study of the Eating Disorder Assessment for Men (EDAM) in the Italian language

Personality and eating disorders are associated in women, less is known however about how they are associated in men. The present study aimed at validating the Eating Disorder Assessment for Men (EDAM, Stanford & Lemberg, 2012) in the Italian language and exploring its correlates with personality variables. A non-clinical sample of Italian men (MAge = 39.0) provided self-ratings along EDAM and the HEXACO-PI and SD3 personality questionnaires. Principal component analysis of EDAM items suggested 5 contentcoherent dimensions: Vigorexia, Compensatory strategies, Body satisfaction, Overeating, and Drive for thinness. They did not fully replicate the expected structure. Regression analysis showed distinctive personality-EDAM domain associations, with Vigorexia positively correlating with SD3 Machiavellism, Compensatory strategies being positively associated with SD3 Narcisism, lower Control over eating with lower HEXACO-PI Conscientiousness, and higher Drive for thinness with lower Extraversion. Results are discussed in relation to gender differences in eating