1.Introduction The drive for thinness (DFT), an indicator of disordered eating, is strongly predicted by body dissatisfaction (BD). In early adolescence, there are other predictors of DFT which rise from the mother-child relationship such as maternal psychological control (MPC) and the mother´s pressure on the child´s body image (MP). 2. Aim This study aims to explain DFT of early adolescents by BD, MP and MPC. 3. Methods Sample 191 Slovak adolescents (53.4% of girls, M age =12.54, SD=0.58) and their mothers (M age =40.45, SD=4.71) Measures Children’s Body Image Scale (Truby & Paxton, 2002) DFT subscale of Eating disorders inventory (Joiner & Heatherton, 1998), Psychological Control Scale–Youth Self-Report (Barber, 1996) Parental influence subscale (Keery et al., 2004) Statistical analyses Structural equation modelling in AMOS 4. Results A hypothesized model was tested to explain DFT by PC and BD, associated with four sources of MP. The tested model did not fit the data well enough. A modified model, where three insignificant sources of MP were excluded, fitted the data well (SRMR=.06, CFI=.95, RMSEA=.04, PCLOSE=.74) and explained 22 % of the variance in DFT. Figure 1. Model explaining drive for thinness among adolescents. Beta values, * p<.05; ** p<.001 The role of maternal psychological control and pressure on body image in a child´s drive for thinness Lucia Hricova, Maria Bacikova-Sleskova, Jozef Benka, Olga Orosova Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Košice, Faculty of Arts, Department of Educational Psychology and Health Psychology, Slovak Republic The model was statistically equivalent for both genders. DFT was associated with BD, PC and indirectly (through BD) with the source of MP – child´s body image preoccupation (CBI). CBI was associated with BD (Figure 1). Address for correspondence: Mgr. Lucia Hricová, PhD., Email: lucia [email protected] Acknowledgments This work was supported by VEGA 1/0623/17 and by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract no. APVV-15-0662. 5. Conclusions The results point to the importance of BD, MPC and CBI, a factor reflecting direct maternal pressure on the child´s body image, in explaining DFT among early adolescent boys and girls. Other sources of MP (reflecting the mother´s concern about her own body image) were not significant in this context. BD and disordered eating prevention strategies for adolescents indicate a respectful mother–child relationship, avoiding pressure and control. Maternal pressure: Child ´s body image preoccupation Drive for thinness Maternal psychological control Body dissatisfaction β=.2* β=.27*

The role of maternal psychological control and pressure on body … · 2020-01-27 · 1.Introduction The drive for thinness (DFT), an indicator of disordered eating, is strongly predicted

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Page 1: The role of maternal psychological control and pressure on body … · 2020-01-27 · 1.Introduction The drive for thinness (DFT), an indicator of disordered eating, is strongly predicted

2. AimThis study aims to explain DFT of earlyadolescents by BD, MP and MPC.

3. MethodsSample 191 Slovak adolescents (53.4% of girls,Mage=12.54, SD=0.58) and their mothers (Mage=40.45,SD=4.71)

MeasuresChildren’s Body Image Scale (Truby & Paxton, 2002)DFT subscale of Eating disorders inventory (Joiner &Heatherton, 1998),Psychological Control Scale–Youth Self-Report (Barber,1996)Parental influence subscale (Keery et al., 2004)

Statistical analysesStructural equation modelling in AMOS

4. ResultsA hypothesized model was tested to explain DFT by PC and BD, associated with foursources of MP. The tested model did not fit the data well enough. A modified model,where three insignificant sources of MP were excluded, fitted the data well (SRMR=.06,

CFI=.95, RMSEA=.04, PCLOSE=.74) and explained 22% of the variance in DFT.

Figure 1. Model explaining drive for thinness among adolescents. Beta values, * p<.05; ** p<.001

The role of maternal psychological control and pressure on body image in a child´s drive for thinnessLucia Hricova, Maria Bacikova-Sleskova, Jozef Benka, Olga Orosova

Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Košice, Faculty of Arts, Department of Educational Psychology and Health Psychology, Slovak Republic

The model was statisticallyequivalent for both genders.DFT was associated with BD,PC and indirectly (throughBD) with the source of MP –child´s body imagepreoccupation (CBI). CBI wasassociated with BD (Figure 1).

Address for correspondence:

Mgr. Lucia Hricová, PhD., Email: [email protected]

AcknowledgmentsThis work was supported by VEGA 1/0623/17 and by the Slovak Research and

Development Agency under the contract no. APVV-15-0662.

5. ConclusionsThe results point to the importance of BD, MPC and CBI, a factor reflecting direct maternal

pressure on the child´s body image, in explaining DFT among early adolescent boys and

girls. Other sources of MP (reflecting the mother´s concern about her own body image) were not

significant in this context. BD and disordered eating prevention strategies for adolescentsindicate a respectful mother–child relationship, avoiding pressure and control.

Maternal pressure: Child ´s

body image preoccupation

Drive for thinness

Maternal psychological

control

Body dissatisfaction

β=.2*

β=.27*

mailto:[email protected]