Worldwide. adolescents are at risk of dcvdoping eating disorders since they tire in a
process of negot ia( ing important developmental tasks and are thus vulnerable to the
internalisation of the thin ideal (Polivy 8: Herman, 2002). Body dissatisfaction,
bulimia nnd drive for thinness haw been identified as the primary risk factors related
to developing eating disorders (Garner, 2004). Despite the heightened vulnerability
during adolescence and societal pressures to be thin. some adolescents are happy with
their bodies and arc not body dismtisfied nor have a drive for thinness. Since
adolesccnce is associated with negotiating an identity. Berzonsky's (1999) socialcognitive
model of identity formation is instrumental in exploring the relationship
betn~ccn identity style and factors associated with eating disorders. Furthermore.
Berzonsky's (1999) informational identity style (11s) as well as the normative identity
style (N IS) are positively correlated LO psychological well-being (PWB) whcreas the
diffuse-avoidant identity style (DAIS) is negatively correlated to PWB. Consensus has
not been reached with regard to this (Adams et al.. 2001), thus this investigation may
provide impomn~ information with regard to the application of identity styles and
iii
Ryffs (1995) six dimensions of PWB in Suture preventive programmes. This study
aimed to investigate thc relalionship between idcnrity styles. the primary eating
disorder risk factors, psychological traits associated with eating disorders and the six
dimensions of psychological well-being (PWB). Furthermore. it aimed to investigate
wllcther the three groups of identity styles diflered significantly in terms of the
primary eating disorder risk Faclors, psychological traits associaied with eating
disorders and the six dimensions of PWB. Lastly. it aimed to investigate whether
different age and race groups of adolescent girls differed significantly in identity style.
primary eating disorder risk factors, psychological traits associated \vith eating
disorders and PWB. A one-shot cross-sectional survey design was used in which an
availability and multicultural sample of adolescent females(n=290) ranging from 13-
to 17-year old in grades 9 to 11 attending an English high school in the Gauteng
Province was used. They completed the Eating Disorder Inventory3 (EDI-3) (Gamer,
2004). Identity Style Inventory ( E l ) (Berzonsky, 1992). Scales of Psychological Well-
Being (SPWB) (Ryff, 1989a). a self-designed biographical qucstiomaire and their
b d y Mass Indcx (BMI) was recorded. Significant negative cor~lationsw erc fbund
between the dimensions of PWB, eating disorder risk factors and associated
psychological traits. Self-acceptance. enviro~unental mastery and positive relations
appeared to be key dimensions negatively associated with the prinlary eating disorder
risk factors and associated psychological traits. Identity styles did not direr
significantly with regard to the primary eating disorder risk factors. however
relationships were found between identity styles and some psycl~ologicat traits
associated with eating disorders. These included the positive correlalion betwecn the
IIS and perfectionism. the negative correlation betwecn the NIS versus personal
alienation and interpersonal alienation and the positive correlation between [he DAIS
and introceptive delicits. Comparisons between the rhret. identity styles and each of
the six dimensions of PWB validarcd that femalc adolescents using an [IS and NIS
experience greater levels of P%JB than compared lo their DAIS counterparts.
Although age did not impact on the in~plementaliono f identity styles nor the primary
eating disorder risk factors and associated psychcllogical traits. the 17-year-old age
group experienced greater levels of PWB with regard to autonomy, environmental
mastery and personal growth. Furt hcrmore, no significant di fferenccs were found with
regard to race, identity styles. the primary eating disorder risk factors and PWB. Black
female adolcscents experienced more interpersonal insecurity and maturity fears than
the White female adolescents in this study. These findings encourage the development
of a regression model identifying protective factors in future research as wcll as
constructing an effective preventive programme against eating disorders in female
adolescents. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/114 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Francisco, Fernanda Da Pãz |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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