Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-142).

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 31-34).

Objective: Although studies have demonstrated that the media-portrayed thin-ideal images and social comparison processes increase body dissatisfaction and negative affect, research has not tested whether women experience pluralistic ignorance by believing that the thin-ideal is an achievable norm. Method: In Study 1, 172 women completed a questionnaire that assessed the extent to which a participant believed that the thin-ideal body image represented the normative body size among women. In Study 2, 356 women participated in a five condition experiment that manipulated the body size of an attractive college student (i.e., thin-ideal or average-sized) and information about the achievability of the woman’s body size (i.e., achievable, not achievable, or no information). Results: Study 1 found no evidence that thin-ideal norm endorsement affected body dissatisfaction or negative affect. Study 2 revealed an increase in body dissatisfaction but not negative affect in the thin-ideal achievable and thin-ideal no information conditions. The results also indicated a marginally significant decrease in negative views of the self in the average-sized achievable and average-sized no information conditions. Furthermore, participants with low self-esteem or poor social support felt better in the average-sized achievable condition when compared to the thin-ideal achievable condition. Also, participants with a higher BMI felt more depressed in the thin-ideal achievable condition when compared to the average-sized achievable condition. Discussion: Results suggest that thin-ideal norm endorsement increased body dissatisfaction by way of social comparative processes and perhaps, pluralistic ignorance. Because participants with low self-esteem or poor social support felt better after seeing an average-sized peer who was said to be the achievable ideal, these results have implications for clinical treatment and prevention interventions. / text

published_or_final_version / Comparative Literature / Master / Master of Philosophy

No description available.

This thesis deals with factors which may be related to faulty body image in anorexic, bulimic, overweight, and non-eating-disordered (ED) women. It was found that anorexic, bulimic, and overweight women overestimated their body sizes whereas non-eating-disordered controls were accurate regardless of assessment method. Additionally, ED women had slimmer notions of average, normal-healthy, ideal and own ideal sizes than did controls. For controls and successful dieters, the larger one perceived oneself to be the larger were one's selection of references sizes; this was not found for anorexic and bulimic women, nor for unsuccessful dieters. Successful dieters in a weight loss program had more accurate body images and selected larger references than did unsuccessful dieters. Body size confrontation resulted in more accurate body image and in more positive attitudes toward dieting in anorexics.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neighborhood and family influences on body image and dietary attitudes in a cohort of 10-and 11-year old children across the BMI spectrum. In this cross-sectional study, age-appropriate figure drawings, Dietary Restraint and Body Esteem Scales were administered to 554 boys and girls. Information on parent and neighborhood influences were gathered from participants’ parents and tested for association with child variables through multiple linear regression. This study indicates that parent modeling variables have an association with child body esteem and dietary restraint when BMI is controlled. Socioeconomic status was found to play a role, with high socioeconomic neighborhoods resulting in higher body esteem and dietary restraint. Geographic location had no influence over child variables. Overall, important influences were found between parent and socioeconomic status variables and body esteem and restraint.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neighborhood and family influences on body image and dietary attitudes in a cohort of 10-and 11-year old children across the BMI spectrum. In this cross-sectional study, age-appropriate figure drawings, Dietary Restraint and Body Esteem Scales were administered to 554 boys and girls. Information on parent and neighborhood influences were gathered from participants’ parents and tested for association with child variables through multiple linear regression. This study indicates that parent modeling variables have an association with child body esteem and dietary restraint when BMI is controlled. Socioeconomic status was found to play a role, with high socioeconomic neighborhoods resulting in higher body esteem and dietary restraint. Geographic location had no influence over child variables. Overall, important influences were found between parent and socioeconomic status variables and body esteem and restraint.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin -- La Crosse, 1988. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 45-48).