Weight-related teasing and body dissatisfaction in adolescents: Moderated-mediation by self-perceived size and weight status
Issue Date
2014-08-24Author
Elledge, Allison Renee
Publisher
University of Kansas
Format
52 pages
Type
Dissertation
Degree Level
Ph.D.
Discipline
Clinical Child Psychology
Rights
This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
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Show full item recordAbstract
The current study was an evaluation of one possible mechanism by which adolescent experience of weight-related teasing (WRT) exerts influence on body dissatisfaction, as well as how that process may function differently across weight status. Namely, self-perceived size was examined as a potential mediator of the effect of WRT on body dissatisfaction, and weight status (i.e., healthy weight vs. overweight) was investigated as a potential moderator of this process. Participants were 135 seventh and eighth grade students recruited from six Midwestern middle schools. Findings revealed a significant indirect effect of WRT on body dissatisfaction while controlling for body mass index (BMI) percentile and sex. As hypothesized, the effect of weight-related teasing on body dissatisfaction was mediated by perceptions of body size. Controlling for actual weight and sex, early adolescents who scored higher on a measure of weight-related teasing were more likely to perceive their body size as larger, which was associated with greater body dissatisfaction. Results from the current study did not support weight status as a moderator of this process; however, due to sample size limitations, strong conclusions about the true effect of weight status could not be drawn. The identified mediational relationship is a first-step in understanding mechanisms by which WRT exerts influence on body dissatisfaction. Findings highlight the importance of one's self-perceptions of size, in addition to satisfaction with one's body. Implications for deterring the effects of WRT and/or improving body dissatisfaction via self-perceived size are discussed. Additionally, several areas for future research are identified.
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- Psychology Dissertations and Theses [459]
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