Body dissatisfaction in adolescence : risk indicators and protective factors
Date
2001
Authors
Vitunski, Erin T.
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Abstract
The present study examines predictors of body dissatisfaction among girls and boys in early adolescence. Both risk factors for and protective factors against body dissatisfaction are explored. Body dissatisfaction is the affective component of body image (Gleaves, Williamson, Eberenz, Sebastian, & Barker, 1995) and has been found to be the strongest single predictor of eating disorder symptomatology among adolescent girls (Leon, Fulkerson, Perry, & Cudeck, 1993 ). Longitudinal studies have shown that body dissatisfaction in early adolescence is predictive of eating problems over time (Graber, Brooks-Gunn, Paikofl, & Warren, 1994).
First, it was hypothesized that physical risks, including early pubertal maturation for girls and later pubertal maturation for boys, higher body mass index for girls, and high or low body mass index for boys, and greater effort to contro1 one's figure for both boys and girls, would be predictive of body dissatisfaction. Second, contextual risks, including being teased about weight or shape, and greater involvement in popular culture which transmits unrealistic body ideals, were hypothesized to be predictive of body dissatisfaction for both girls and boys. Thirdly, it was hypothesized that protective factors, including involvement in sports activities, feeling accepted by mothers. and attending church or other religious activities, would negatively predict body dissatisfaction. Finally, it was hypothesized that protective factors would moderate the relations between significant risks and body dissatisfaction; lessening the impact of risks.
Participants were 170 adolescents (91 girls and 79 boys) from a medium-sized Canadian city. Data were collected from 83 7th graders (mean age 12 years arid 9 months) and 87 10th graders (mean age 15 years and 10 months) who participated in the second wave of a three-year longitudinal study of adolescents' psychosocial maturity and problem bebaviour (the Victoria Adolescence Project).
Separate hierarchical regressions were conducted for girls and boys. Physical risks were entered in the first step, followed by contextual risks, and finally protective factors in the third step. Significant risks for girls included higher body mass index, more figure control behaviour, and being teased about their bodies more often. Mother acceptance was the only significant protective factor for girls. For boys, the only significant risk factor was being teased. No protective factors were significant for boys. Overall, 39% of the variance in girls' body dissatisfaction scores was accounted for, while 33¾ of the variance in boys' scores was explained. No moderating effects of protective factors on the relation between significant risks and body dissatisfaction were found for girls or boys.
The discussion highlights the importance of the findings in relation to previous research, especially the information gained on boys' experiences of body dissatisfaction. As well, the lack of identified significant protective factors is discussed and explanations proposed, Finally, implications for the prevention of eating disorders and the importance of this type of research for understanding the development of serious eating problems is considered.