Individual and Sociocultural Influences on Pre-Adolescent Girls' Appearance Schemas and Body Dissatisfaction

• NCJ Number: 214824
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 35 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2006 Pages: 165-175
• Author(s): Meghan M. Sinton; Leann L. Birch
• Date Published: April 2006
• Length: 11 pages
• Grant Number(s): NIH HD 32973; NIH RR10732
• Sponsoring Agency: National Ctr on Minority Health and Health Disparities
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined 173 preadolescent girls' body weight (body mass index); depression; and parent, sibling, peer, and media influences as predictors of thought and attitudinal processes associated with body dissatisfaction.

Abstract

Overweight girls reported wanting to be thinner, and girls preoccupied with their appearance had higher depression scores. The latter finding suggests that girls who are concerned about their body shape and weight are more likely to have negative views of themselves linked to depression. The study also found that parents who valued and promoted adherence to appearance standards heightened their child's concern about their appearance. Sibling and peer preoccupation with conversations about weight and appearance were also related to girls' frequent thoughts about the way their bodies looked. Findings on the girls' awareness of media messages supported a growing body of research that has found media exposure influences body dissatisfaction and related concerns about appearance. One implication of these findings is that efforts to prevent negative self-images that promote low self-esteem and depression in girls should focus on social influences, particularly parental influence. Study participants were 173 11-year-old girls enrolled in an ongoing longitudinal study of the health and development of girls. The current study used only data obtained when the girls were 11 years old. Girls' beliefs and assumptions about the importance, meaning, and effects of appearance in their lives were assessed with the Appearance Schemas Inventory (Cash and Labarge, 1996). The adolescent/adult version of the body esteem scale was used to assess body dissatisfaction. Body mass index scores were based on height and weight measurements. The Children's Depression Inventory was used to assess girls' levels of depression. Questionnaires were used to determine the girls' assessment of family, peer, and media influences on their concern with weight and appearance. 4 tables and 43 references