ABSTRACT
The tripartite model of influence proposes that three primary core sources of influence-parents, peers and media-contribute to the development of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. In the current study, this model was examined in a sample of 205 undergraduate women. This study added to previous research by investigating mother and father criticism separately and by examining the potential moderating effects of parental attachment in the pathway to body dissatisfaction. Results indicated partial support for the tripartite model of influence. Sociocultural influences (media) were found to be a significant predictor of body dissatisfaction, but not parental or peer criticism. Anxious attachment was found to be a significant moderator on the effects of sociocultural attitudes in body dissatisfaction. Limitations and future research implications are discussed.
Subject(s)
Body Dysmorphic Disorders/psychology , Models, Psychological , Object Attachment , Personal Satisfaction , Reactive Attachment Disorder/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Awareness , Body Mass Index , Bullying/psychology , Father-Child Relations , Feedback, Psychological , Feeding and Eating Disorders/psychology , Female , Humans , Internal-External Control , Male , Mass Media , Mother-Child Relations , Parenting/psychology , Peer Group , Personality Inventory/statistics & numerical data , Psychometrics , Risk Factors , Self-Assessment , Social Values , Socialization , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The current study explored family and individual variables associated with dieting and binge eating. METHOD: 581 college females completed questionnaires exploring the amount of criticism and preoccupation with weight and food they experienced in their families, their current levels of depression, external attributions, and body esteem, and their degree of focus on dieting and binge eating. RESULTS: A structural equation model incorporating previous research and theoretical considerations was evaluated. The data were consistent with a model in which family variables were mediated by individual variables of depression, external attributions, and negative body esteem to predict dieting and bingeing. Dieting was influenced by all three individual variables, and in turn, dieting and depression were associated with binge eating. DISCUSSION: These results are consistent with an internalization model of family issues. Family dysfunction and values lead to depressive symptoms, external attributions, and negative body esteem. Dieting may be a "solution" that leads to additional eating problems such as binge eating when depression is present.
Subject(s)
Bulimia Nervosa/genetics , Feeding Behavior , Students/psychology , Students/statistics & numerical data , Universities , Adolescent , Adult , Affect , Attitude , Bulimia Nervosa/epidemiology , Bulimia Nervosa/psychology , Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder/epidemiology , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Family , Female , Food Preferences , Humans , Prospective Studies , Self Concept , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Social support is a multifaceted construct recognized as a significant predictor of physical health. In this study, the authors examined several support domains simultaneously in a sample of 247 college students to determine their unique prediction of physical health perceptions and physical symptoms. They also examined gender differences across social support and physical health. Their findings indicated that belonging predicted better health perceptions for women and fewer physical symptoms for men, suggesting that a sense of connection to a group of others is a key support component for the physical health of college students.
Subject(s)
Health Status , Peer Group , Social Adjustment , Social Identification , Social Support , Students/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Midwestern United States , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Massage therapy (MT) is an ancient form of treatment that is now gaining popularity as part of the complementary and alternative medical therapy movement. A meta-analysis was conducted of studies that used random assignment to test the effectiveness of MT. Mean effect sizes were calculated from 37 studies for 9 dependent variables. Single applications of MT reduced state anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate but not negative mood, immediate assessment of pain, and cortisol level. Multiple applications reduced delayed assessment of pain. Reductions of trait anxiety and depression were MT's largest effects, with a course of treatment providing benefits similar in magnitude to those of psychotherapy. No moderators were statistically significant, though continued testing is needed. The limitations of a medical model of MT are discussed, and it is proposed that new MT theories and research use a psychotherapy perspective.
