Abstract
There is a consistent research that shows that adolescents have frequent concerns and worries about their body and self-image. One important factor is the biological and physiological context of development in adolescence, a stage of significant transformation in overall human development. A sample of 185 adolescent girls, aged between 18 and 21 years old, all residing in Constanta County, has been assessed with 4 questionnaires: Garner’s Eating Disorder Inventory (2004), Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (2002), The Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (Mendelson, Mendelson, & White, 2001), and the Sociocultural Attitudes toward Appearance Scale (Thompson, van den Berg, Roehring, Guarda, & Heinberg, 2004). The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between the risk of eating disorders and various psychological traits and variables. We examined all variables the questionnaires measured and selected only the statistically confirmed hypotheses (for p<.05). We obtained significant correlations between the risk of eating disorders and ineffectiveness, interpersonal problems, affective problems, excessive control, neuroticism-anxiety, body esteem, the internalization of the perfect athletic body, the internalization of the perfect ideal body and the pressure of having a perfect appearance. Results are discussed with regard to the psychological implications of this study and the need for additional research.
Highlights
In western cultures, the transition from childhood to maturity requires a few years, which are known as adolescence, one of the most stressful and difficult stages of human development (Adams & Berzonsky, 2009; Crandell, Haines Crandell, & Vander Zanden, 2009; Muntean, 2009; Papalia, Wendkos Olds, & Duskin Feldman, 2010; Sion, 2007)
The objectives of the research are: Objective 1 – To identify the existence of correlations between the risk of eating disorders and the composite scales of the Eating Disorder Inventory. For this objective we examined the following hypotheses: Hypothesis 1 – We presume there is a significant correlation between the risk of eating disorders and ineffectiveness; Hypothesis 2 – We presume there is a significant correlation between the risk of eating disorders and interpersonal problems; Hypothesis 3 – We presume there is a significant correlation between the risk of eating disorders and affective problems; Hypothesis 4 – We presume there is a significant correlation between the risk of eating disorders and excessive control
2 – To identify the existence of correlations between the risk of eating disorders and neuroticism-anxiety. For this objective we examined the following hypothesis: Hypothesis 5 – We presume there is a significant correlation between the risk of eating disorders and neuroticism-anxiety
Summary
The transition from childhood to maturity requires a few years, which are known as adolescence, one of the most stressful and difficult stages of human development (Adams & Berzonsky, 2009; Crandell, Haines Crandell, & Vander Zanden, 2009; Muntean, 2009; Papalia, Wendkos Olds, & Duskin Feldman, 2010; Sion, 2007). Adolescence is definitely a stage of changes, and reviewing the multitude of papers that approach its problems shows that no other developmental stage has been characterized through so many attributes and metaphors. Adolescence brings profound transformations at biological psychological and social level. Creating a new stable and mature identity, developing new social relations, developing the social role of man or woman, accepting the self-image, gaining independence in relationship with their parents, preparing for family life and a professional career, developing a personal value system, behaving in a socially responsible way, are few of the challenges an adolescent must find a solution for. 2. The effects of biological changes in adolescence
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
