How does perfectionism relate to body dissatisfaction in late childhood?

Abstract

Previous research has established the association of perfectionism and body dissatisfaction in adults, an association that is likely to be of significance in the aetiology of eating disorders. This study examined the same relationship in children. Perfectionism and body dissatisfaction were assessed by the Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale (CAPS) and the Children's Body Image Scale (CBIS) in 136 girls and 142 boys aged between 11 and 15 from a County Durham school. As hypothesised, girls expressed greater body dissatisfaction than boys whilst contrary to prediction age was unrelated to body dissatisfaction. Maladaptive, socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) significantly predicted body dissatisfaction whilst adaptive self-oriented perfectionism (SOP) did not. Thus, children's elevated perception that others expect unrealistic standards of them is associated with concurrent body dissatisfaction.