The Influence of Self-Efficacy and Locus of Control on Body Image: A Path-Analysis in Aspiring Fashion Models, Athletes and Students.

Donatella Di Corrado,Marinella Coco,Maria Guarnera,Nelson Mauro Maldonato,Alessandro Quartiroli,Paola Magnano

doi:10.3390/ijerph18116128

Abstract

It is widely documented that negative body image is a significant public health concern due to its association with symptoms of disordered eating and worse psychological well-being. The purpose of the study was to develop a path model of intrapersonal dimensions (self-efficacy and internal locus of control) as antecedents of perceived stress toward females’ body dissatisfaction and eating attitude disorders. A total of 300 females, including 100 aspiring fashion models, 100 athletes and 100 students (controls), between 15 and 24 years of age (M = 19.6, SD = 1.85) participated in the study. Measures included level of psychological stress, self-efficacy and locus of control dimensions, body dissatisfaction and eating attitude disorder indices. A path analysis confirmed our research hypothesis. Comparing the three subsamples, we found better fit indexes in the two subgroups with elevated investment on their body image with respect the control group. More specifically, the model in the group of aspiring fashion models showed the best fit index. These results indicated that aspiring fashion models have a strong desire to maintain their low body mass or to become thinner. For this reason, a suitable involvement of expert health workers in the nutritional and psychological field could be extremely essential in the fashion world to maintain a healthier well-being.

Highlights

Body dissatisfaction can be defined as the depreciation of body weight and physical appearance resulting from a perceived discrepancy between the actual body image and the ideal body image [1]
Valutis and colleagues [6] have found that discrepancies between realistic and ideal body size may influence efforts for modifying, as well as approaches about, body size
We found very strong relationships between the intrapersonal dimensions of self-efficacy and internal locus of control, which we assumed as the antecedents in our research hypotheses

Summary

Introduction

Body (image) dissatisfaction can be defined as the depreciation of body weight and physical appearance resulting from a perceived discrepancy between the actual body image and the ideal body image [1]. Valutis and colleagues [6] have found that discrepancies between realistic and ideal body size may influence efforts for modifying, as well as approaches about, body size. They suggested that self-efficacy might affect the personal reaction to this discrepancy. In line with efficacy research [7], individuals with large differences between current body size and realistic body size may have ceased making efforts into the issue, implying low self-efficacy related to a person’s belief that they cannot achieve a particular task.

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Conclusion