title: Exploring the integration of thin-ideal internalization and self-objectification in the prevention of eating disorders.
abstract: Analyses of thin-ideal internalization and self-objectification were conducted within the context of a cognitive dissonance based eating disorder prevention program implemented in an undergraduate sorority. Participants completed self-report assessments at baseline (n=177), post-intervention (n=169), 5-month (n=159), and 1-year follow-up (n=105). Cross-sectional path analysis indicated that thin-ideal internalization and self-objectification predict each other and both predict body dissatisfaction, which in turn, predicts eating disorder symptoms. A longitudinal examination conducted using hierarchical linear modeling indicated that participants showed significant reductions in thin-ideal internalization, self-objectification, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorder symptoms after participating in the prevention program. Reductions of symptoms were maintained 1-year post-intervention, with the exception of self-objectification, which was significantly reduced up to 5-months post-intervention. Collectively, results suggest that targeting both thin-ideal internalization and self-objectification simultaneously within eating disorder prevention programs could increase the reduction of eating disorder symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, 230 Psychology Building, College Station, TX 77843-4235, USA. amwkvd@tamu.edu
authors.forename: Ashley M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kroon Van Diest
authors.forename: Marisol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003073:Cognitive Dissonance; D003469:Culture; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D056865:Ideal Body Weight; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010379:Peer Group; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D013240:Stereotyping; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013851:Thinness / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult