The prediction of body image satisfaction among adolescent girls

[摘要] English: Numerous factors contribute to the development of a distorted body Image among adolescent girls, as reflected and supported by the literature on this topic. The goal of this study was to determine any additional factors which may be influential in precipitating a distorted body image, later leading to the development of disordered eating patterns among adolescent school-girls. The following hypothesis has been formulated: Numerous factors contribute to the development of a distorted body Image among adolescent girls, as reflected and supported by the literature on this topic. Body image satisfaction among adolescent school girls in a private school setting is influenced by the following predictor variables: body maturation, age, participation in physical activity, involvement in a romantic relationship, sibling constellation, selfesteem, family influences and schooling structure (same sex versus co-educational schools). The etiology of disordered eating patterns is complex, hence it is important to study the theoretical framework, as well as the predicting factors that may contribute to a distorted body image. Teachers, medical practitioners and families could benefit from this data by understanding how various factors contribute to body image satisfaction in adolescent girls. In this research, a total of 183 adolescent private school girls participated in the study. A total of 92 of the girls were from a private same sex school in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, while 91 of the girls were from a co-educational private school in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Each participant's height and weight was recorded to calculate Body Mass Index, used to classify her dimensions. To establish body image satisfaction, the subjects were asked to complete a biographical questionnaire, the body dissatisfaction sub-scale of the EDI (Eating Disorder Inventory), and the self-esteem and family relations sub-scales of the PHSF (Personal, Home, Social and Formal Relations Questionnaire). The girls in the respective schools were divided into two groups based on the acceptability or the unacceptability of their body image satisfaction, according to their Body Mass index and their scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory. The groups were then compared for biographical, self-esteem and familial factors. The data was subjected to a logistic regression analysis in order to determine which of the abovementioned factors could significantly predict the group membership of a girl (acceptability or unacceptability of body image satisfaction). The following factors were found to significantly contribute to the prediction of body image satisfaction suggesting that: �?Adolescent girls in a co-educational private schooling structure were more likely to develop a distorted body image than those in a same sex private schooling structure. �?Adolescent girls who display more family involvement and who are more sensitive to family influences revealed a greater body image distortion that those who exhibit less family involvement. �?Adolescent girls who are dissatisfied with their bodies because of over- of underweight are more prone to use dieting as a measure to alter their body shape in order to conform to societal norms and expectations. If there is a greater awareness among teachers, medical practitioners, and families concerning the precipitating eating disorders, resources can be used more effectively to lessen or even prevent body dissatisfaction. In conclusion, the study has shown the importance of schooling structure and its influence over the prediction of body image satisfaction amongst adolescent girls. Further investigations could clarify these findings.

[发布机构] University of the Free State