Body weight and shape self-cognitions, emotional distress, and disordered eating in middle adolescent girls.
In this study, stability of the body weight/shape self-schema and possible self in a sample of middle adolescent girls during their transition from junior high to high school was examined and the relationship between these self-cognitions and emotional distress and disordered eating behaviors was explored. Subjects (N = 79) completed measures of self-cognitions, competence, and self-esteem in the 8th and 9th grades. Disordered eating and depression were measured in 9th grade. Eighth grade self-schema scores were used to identify the fat/out-of-shape (n = 21) and thin/athletic (n = 20) self-schema groups. For both groups, stability in the body weight/shape cognitions was found. Girls in the fat/out-of-shape group had lower self-esteem, appearance, and athletic competence scores in both grades and higher dieting and depression scores in 9th grade than the slim/athletic group. Regression analyses showed that the self-schema score was a stronger predictor of the outcomes than weight. Findings suggest that the body weight/shape self-schema plays an important role in adolescent girls' emotional health.
Stein
K F
KF
University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, USA.
Hedger
K M
KM
D000293:Adolescent; D001824:Body Constitution; D001828:Body Image; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires