Date of Award

2012

Rights

Access is available to all users

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS) in Psychology: Clinical

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Amani El-Alayli

Second Advisor

Susan Ruby

Third Advisor

Mimi Marinucci

Abstract

"Past research has identified many singular components of family dynamics that affect body dissatisfaction in adulthood, but have not studied the effects of many different family factors simultaneously. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of multiple early family dynamics on body dissatisfaction in adulthood using a sample of female college students. It was expected that the nature of parental bonding, parental comments, and lack of parental acceptance during childhood would have negative effects on body image in adulthood. A sample of female college students completed self-report questionnaires about their parents from the perspective of when they were a child and questionnaires regarding their current body dissatisfaction. Results found that all parenting variables collectively had a significant impact on body image. Negative comments were the most consistent significant predictor of body dissatisfaction, even when controlling for BMI and self-esteem. The results of the current study can give researchers a better idea of which family dynamics to focus on when studying factors contributing to body dissatisfaction in adulthood"--Document.

Comments

Typescript. Vita.

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