Joana Marta-Simões1, Tracy L Tylka2, Cláudia Ferreira3. 1. Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. mjoana.gms@gmail.com. 2. Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA. 3. Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Adolescence has been stated as a period in which body image and eating difficulties' have its greatest expression, especially in females. Nonetheless, protective factors, such as body appreciation and compassion, are not thoroughly studied in this developmental stage. The current study hypothesized that competences for self-compassion and receiving others' compassion associate positively with social safeness, and the three variables with body appreciation. Moreover, the association between body appreciation and disordered eating was analysed. A sample of Portuguese female adolescents was used. METHODS: 205 participants, aged between 12 and 18, completed a set of self-report measures in the school context. Data were explored via descriptive, correlational and path analysis. RESULTS: Path analysis indicated that self-compassion and receiving compassion from others associate positively with feelings of social safeness which, in turn, associate with higher body appreciation. All the variables in study associated indirectly and negatively with disordered eating, and body appreciation presented a direct and negative association with disordered eating. CONCLUSION: Findings of the current study may suggest the pertinence of developing programs for female adolescents that include the cultivation of compassionate and affiliative skills to promote positive body image and to prevent or intervene with disordered eating symptoms, with potential effects on overall well-being and mental health. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Cross-sectional descriptive study, Level V.
PURPOSE: Adolescence has been stated as a period in which body image and eating difficulties' have its greatest expression, especially in females. Nonetheless, protective factors, such as body appreciation and compassion, are not thoroughly studied in this developmental stage. The current study hypothesized that competences for self-compassion and receiving others' compassion associate positively with social safeness, and the three variables with body appreciation. Moreover, the association between body appreciation and disordered eating was analysed. A sample of Portuguese female adolescents was used. METHODS: 205 participants, aged between 12 and 18, completed a set of self-report measures in the school context. Data were explored via descriptive, correlational and path analysis. RESULTS: Path analysis indicated that self-compassion and receiving compassion from others associate positively with feelings of social safeness which, in turn, associate with higher body appreciation. All the variables in study associated indirectly and negatively with disordered eating, and body appreciation presented a direct and negative association with disordered eating. CONCLUSION: Findings of the current study may suggest the pertinence of developing programs for female adolescents that include the cultivation of compassionate and affiliative skills to promote positive body image and to prevent or intervene with disordered eating symptoms, with potential effects on overall well-being and mental health. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Cross-sectional descriptive study, Level V.
Authors: Francis S Lee; Hakon Heimer; Jay N Giedd; Edward S Lein; Nenad Šestan; Daniel R Weinberger; B J Casey Journal: Science Date: 2014-10-31 Impact factor: 47.728