Peer influences, body-image dissatisfaction, eating dysfunction and self-esteem in adolescent girls.
A sample of 344 adolescent girls completed a variety of measures designed to index the associations among peer influences, body-image dissatisfaction, eating dysfunction and self-esteem. Results indicated that participants were significantly similar to their nominated friends on self-esteem, but not body image or eating disturbance. Peer measures were significantly associated with body dissatisfaction, eating problems and self-esteem. Peer suppression of feelings, internalization of the thin-ideal and appearance comparison were significant mediators in path analyses testing the direct and indirect role of peer influences on outcome variables. Implications for intervention and prevention programs are discussed.
Shroff
Hemal
H
University of South Florida, USA.
Thompson
J Kevin
JK
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D010379:Peer Group; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires