Anxiété sociale et satisfaction des besoins d’autonomie, de compétence et d’appartenance sociale chez les adolescents obèses

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between social anxiety and satisfaction of needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness in obese adolescents. Literature review reports that obese children and adolescents have higher social anxiety that their normal weight peers. But relations between obesity and social anxiety are not clear. We explore the relationship between social anxiety and satisfaction of needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness, three basic psychological needs advanced by Self-Determination Theory (SDT). SDT predicts that satisfaction of these needs should result in well-being and mental health. Thereby, a low satisfaction of the needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness is associated with psychopathology. These psychological needs are not yet explored in obese adolescents. We expect that obese adolescents have higher social anxiety and lower satisfaction of the needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness as compared to controls. Furthermore, high social anxiety could be associated with low satisfaction of these needs. MethodsThe study sample consists of a clinical group of 17 obese adolescents and a control group of 67 normal weight adolescents. They completed self-report questionnaires. Social anxiety was assessed with the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNE). Satisfaction of the needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness was measured with the Perceived Autonomy in Life Domains Scale (PALDS), the Perception of Competence in Life Domains Scale (PCLDS) and the Interpersonal Relationship Quality Scale (EQRI). ResultsObese adolescents have significantly lower satisfaction of needs for autonomy and competence in leisure domain as compared to controls. Social anxiety is negatively correlated with satisfaction of needs for autonomy and competence in interpersonal relationships domain, general competence and relatedness with friends. ConclusionsPhysical complications in obese adolescents could explain dissatisfaction of needs for autonomy and competence in leisure domain. This assumption could be explored in future research. Results should improve treatment of obese adolescents. Consistent with SDT, satisfaction of the needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness is linked with social anxiety. Impairment of satisfaction of these needs could contribute to understanding the social anxiety in adolescents.