RESUMEN
The aim of this study was to test the moderating role of sport participation in the mediation model of media pressures, internalisation of appearance ideals and body dissatisfaction in adolescent boys. Five hundred and seventy adolescent boys (mean age 17.2 ± 0.45; range 15-19 years) participated in the cross-sectional study. Adolescents completed a questionnaire consisting of measures of attitudes towards sociocultural pressures on appearance, body dissatisfaction and sport participation (participation in achievement sport, leisure exercising and non-participation in any sports). Sports participation moderated the associations between the internalisation of stereotyped appearance ideals and body dissatisfaction. In athletes, the effect of internalisation of thin body ideals on body dissatisfaction was not significant, while the effect of internalisation of muscular/athletic body ideals was negative. In leisure exercisers, the effect of internalisation of muscular body ideals on body dissatisfaction was not significant, yet internalisation of thin body ideals had a significant effect on body dissatisfaction. The strongest associations between appearance ideals internalisation and body dissatisfaction were found in adolescent boys who reported no participation in sports. Sports participation might be an effective tool in decreasing the negative effect of internalisation of stereotyped appearance ideals on adolescent boys' body image.
Asunto(s)
Imagen Corporal , Deportes , Masculino , Humanos , Adolescente , Estudios Transversales , Ejercicio Físico , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Eating disorders (EDs) often emerge in late adolescence. Schools are ideal settings for prevention programs; however, cost and time limit implementation. Microinterventions may overcome these challenges. This study adapted two microinterventions (cognitive dissonance, self-compassion) and assessed feasibility and acceptability among mid-adolescents to provide proof-of-concept for further investigation. METHOD: Feedback from staff (n = 5) and student (n = 15) focus groups contributed iteratively to the adaptation of intervention materials. Students in Grade 10 and 11 (N = 101, Mage = 15.80, SD = 0.68) were then randomly allocated by class to a 20-min video-based cognitive-dissonance or self-compassion intervention, accessed on their school devices. ED risk and protective factors were assessed at baseline, immediate postintervention (state outcomes), and 1-week follow-up (trait outcomes). Acceptability items were included at both timepoints. RESULTS: Implementation was deemed feasible. Girls generally reported greater acceptability than boys. Among girls, the self-compassion intervention demonstrated greater acceptability. Among boys, some aspects of acceptability (e.g., lesson endorsement, utilization of techniques) were rated higher in the cognitive dissonance group whereas other aspects (e.g., understanding, interest) were greater in the self-compassion group. All groups exhibited favorable changes in most state outcomes, however trait outcome change was varied. DISCUSSION: Microinterventions provide a feasible way of implementing prevention strategies in a time-poor educational context. Future large-scale evaluation is warranted to determine efficacy, following modifications based on current findings. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows promising feasibility and acceptability of two brief, self-guided video-based lessons (microinterventions) for adolescents in school classrooms, that use psychological techniques to target appearance pressures as a key risk factor for eating disorders. Such interventions are easier to implement in school settings than longer, facilitator-led interventions, to encourage greater uptake and ongoing use. Findings support further research to evaluate effectiveness, to ultimately provide accessible and gender-inclusive tools for busy schools.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos de Alimentación y de la Ingestión de Alimentos , Adolescente , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Disonancia Cognitiva , Estudios de Factibilidad , Trastornos de Alimentación y de la Ingestión de Alimentos/prevención & control , Instituciones Académicas , EstudiantesRESUMEN
The aim of the present study was to test the moderating role of body appreciation in the mediation model of media pressures, internalization of appearance ideals, and disordered eating in adolescents. One thousand four hundred and twelve Lithuanian adolescents (40.4% were boys, age range: 15-18 years) participated in the cross-sectional study. The mean age of the sample was 16.9 (SD (standard deviation) = 0.5) for girls and 17.0 (SD = 0.4) for boys. Adolescents completed a questionnaire consisting of measures of body appreciation (Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2)), disordered eating (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6 (EDE-Q 6)), attitudes towards sociocultural pressures towards appearance (Sociocultural Attitudes towards Appearance Questionnaire 4 (SATAQ-4)), and time browsing internet for leisure purposes. To assess the primary hypotheses, moderated mediation models were tested separately in boys and girls. In girls, body appreciation moderated associations between media pressures and internalization of thin body ideals and between internalization of thin appearance ideals and disordered eating. In boys, body appreciation moderated only the association between media pressures and disordered eating. The effect of media pressures on disordered eating was the highest in boys with the lowest body appreciation. Body appreciation protects adolescent girls from internalization of thin appearance ideals in the presence of media pressures and from disordered eating in the case of internalization of thin body appearance ideals. In boys, body appreciation provides a protective effect from media pressures towards appearance to disordered eating behaviors. The findings of the present study could inform intervention programs that aim to prevent disordered eating, strengthen positive body image, and promote healthy eating in adolescent girls and boys. Specific programs might be beneficial in preventing disordered eating in boys with low body appreciation.
Asunto(s)
Imagen Corporal , Trastornos de Alimentación y de la Ingestión de Alimentos , Adolescente , Actitud , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Self-objectification is linked to disordered eating (DE) behaviors in women. However, the awareness of objectification by the self and others, not just the objectifying experiences themselves, may be differentially related to DE. The proposed study examines the development and validity of the Conscious Objectification Questionnaire (COQ), which seeks to evaluate awareness of objectification by others and intentional self-objectification. METHOD: In Study 1, 24 participants who identify as women (≥18 years) will provide qualitative feedback on COQ items, and survey items will be updated based on participant feedback. In Study 2, separate participants will complete the COQ and questionnaires assessing DE, self-objectification, and mental health correlates. Exploratory factor analyses will be conducted on the COQ, and reliability and convergent and divergent validity will be assessed. RESULTS: Results will clarify whether the COQ is a reliable and valid instrument that measures the distinct construct of awareness of objectification. DISCUSSION: If proven psychometrically sound, the COQ may be useful for future research on the link between awareness of objectification and disordered eating. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: The novel Conscious Objectification Questionnaire (COQ) assesses the degree to which women recognize and act upon being objectified. The COQ will be reviewed by self-objectification experts and pilot participants before being psychometrically evaluated with data from a larger sample. The COQ is expected to differentially relate to disordered eating above and beyond existing self-objectification measures and accurately represent the distinct construct of conscious awareness of societal and self-objectification.