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The distinct role of body image aspects in predicting eating disorder onset in adolescents after one year
Citation
Prnjak, K and Hay, P and Mond, JM and Bussey, K and Trompeter, N and Lonergan, A and Mitchison, D, The distinct role of body image aspects in predicting eating disorder onset in adolescents after one year, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 130, (3) pp. 236-247. ISSN 0021-843X (2021) [Refereed Article]
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Abstract
Recent research suggests specific body image aspects, namely weight/shape dissatisfaction, overvaluation of weight/shape, weight/shape preoccupation, and fear of weight gain, have distinct roles in eating disorder (ED) onset and maintenance. The aim of this study was to investigate unique associations between these body image aspects and ED onset, distress, and quality of life in a community sample of adolescents prospectively after 1 year. Adolescents (n = 1,327; 51% female; age range 11–19 years) who completed Waves 1 and 2 of the EveryBODY Study and did not meet criteria for an ED at Wave 1 completed measures of ED symptoms, distress, and quality of life impairment. Results showed that 18.2% of participants (70% female) met criteria for an ED at Wave 2. Only weight/shape dissatisfaction was prospectively associated with onset of any ED. No other body image aspect was uniquely associated with greater distress nor lower quality of life in longitudinal analyses. However, all body image aspects were independent correlates of ED diagnosis within Wave 2. These findings suggest that dissatisfaction might operate as a risk factor for ED development in adolescence, whereas overvaluation, preoccupation, and fear of weight gain could be more proximal markers of ED psychopathology. Therefore, these body image phenomena should be assessed as separate constructs as they may play unique roles in ED onset and classification. ED prevention efforts in adolescence may need to target dissatisfaction first, whereas a focus on other aspects of body image may be more important for early intervention programs.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | dissatisfaction, overvaluation, preoccupation, fear, weight and shape |
| Research Division: | Psychology |
| Research Group: | Applied and developmental psychology |
| Research Field: | Child and adolescent development |
| Objective Division: | Education and Training |
| Objective Group: | Learner and learning |
| Objective Field: | Higher education |
| UTAS Author: | Hay, P (Professor Phillipa Hay) |
| UTAS Author: | Mond, JM (Dr Jon Mond) |
| UTAS Author: | Lonergan, A (Mr Andrew Lonergan) |
| ID Code: | 151612 |
| Year Published: | 2021 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 4 |
| Deposited By: | UTAS Centre for Rural Health |
| Deposited On: | 2022-08-02 |
| Last Modified: | 2022-08-02 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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