Body image, psychological functioning, and parental feedback regarding physical appearance.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of parental appearance-related commentary, body image, and psychological functioning in females and males.


METHODS
Retrospective reports of teasing and appearance-based feedback were assessed, along with current levels of body image and overall psychological functioning.


RESULTS
Women and men did not differ in their reports of comments received from mothers, however, women received significantly more appearance-related messages from fathers. Correlational analyses demonstrated significant relationships between feedback and body satisfaction for women, but not for men. Regression analyses indicated that fathers' and mothers' teasing about weight were predictive of daughters' body image. For both males and females, psychological functioning was significantly predicted from the combination of mothers' and fathers' feedback regarding appearance.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings further support an emerging theoretical model of appearance-related commentary as a factor in body image disturbance and overall psychological functioning.
Schwartz
D J
DJ
Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa 33620, USA.
Phares
V
V
Tantleff-Dunn
S
S
Thompson
J K
JK
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D005192:Family Health; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010553:Personality Development; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D017678:Sex Distribution