Beyond shape and weight: Exploring the relationship between nonbody determinants of self-esteem and eating disorder symptoms in adolescent females

✍ Scribed by Geller, Josie ;Zaitsoff, Shannon L. ;Srikameswaran, Suja

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 70 KB
• Volume: 32
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0276-3478
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.10083

✦ Synopsis

Objective:

Recent research using the shape and weight-based self-esteem (sawbs) inventory has shown that basing self-esteem on shape and weight is related to eating disorder and psychiatric symptoms. this study examined the relationship between other determinants of self-esteem assessed in the sawbs inventory (e.g., friendships, intimate relationships, school/work competence) and eating disorder and psychological health variables.

Method:

Female high school adolescents (n = 235) participated in this study. the relative contribution of the self-esteem dimensions to eating disorder and self-esteem was examined.

Results:

In addition to shape and weight, basing self-esteem on intimate relationships was also related to higher eating disorder symptoms and lower body and global self-esteem. the only protective factors to emerge in this study were basing self-esteem on competence at school and other activities.

Discussion:

Basing self-esteem on intimate relationships was associated with similar physical and health problems to basing self-esteem on shape and weight. the implications of these findings with regard to healthy adolescent development are addressed.