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The role of sexual identity has been of interest to many workers in the field of anorexia nervosa and related disorders. In particular it has long been suggested that psychosexual factors play a contributory part in the development of eating disorders. This article addresses itself to (1) examples of psychoanalytical perspectives, (2) some empirical findings and associated theoretical frameworks, (3) evidence from sex role inventories, and (4) psychosexual factors within male anorexics. It is concluded that there is little evidence for many widely held beliefs concerning psychosexual factors within the eating-disordered patient.
Derek W. Scott (Sun,) studied this question.