Body image satisfaction and parental trust in adolescence: where is that difference between girls and boys?
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2010 |
| Type | R&D Presentation |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Body image satisfaction is especially important part of general self-concept in adolescence. 'Normative discontent' is a pervasive problem experienced by a large proportion of teenage population. Factors influencing body image satisfaction in adolescence include besides BMI (body mass index) family-related constructs: parental criticism of appearance and parental trust, eating patterns etc. Girls are traditionally considered as more vulnerable to risk factors influencing body image, but adolescent boys are concerned with their body image as well. Escalated body image dissatisfaction is related with depressive symptoms, lowered self-esteem and well-being. The sample included 480 (258 boys, 222 girls) thirteen-year-old adolescents at the first wave and 236 (110 boys, 126 girls) fifteen-year-old at the second wave. Data were collected in two waves: from May 2004 to June 2005 (at the age of 13) and from May 2006 to June 2007 (at the age of 15). Following standardized self-report measures were administered: The Body Satisfaction Questionnaire; Parental Body Appearance Criticism; Parent Style Questionnaire; and shortened version of Mood and Feelings Questionnaire. BMI was calculated from appropriate measures obtained at the same time. Data are analyzed with MANOVA and structural-equation modelling. Results non-surprisingly confirm girls' higher image dissatisfaction and also validate two simultaneously independent sources of body image dissatisfaction. First is derived from BMI and second from quality of relationship with parents. Higher BMI is strong source of body image dissatisfaction for all adolescents, but family related factors show specific patterns for boys and girls. Relations between body image satisfaction, depression and parental trust are same for girls and boys. It seems that parental criticism is what makes difference between boys and girls; girls face much more criticism than boys and react strongly with lowered body image satisfaction. |
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