Troubles alimentaires, désirabilité sociale, insatisfaction corporelle et estime de soi physique chez des étudiantes de première année

Abstract

ObjectivesThe relation between the subject and its own body seems to be problematic in Eating Disorders. This study aims to better understand eating disorders in non-clinical population, by focusing on social desirability, body dissatisfaction and physical self-esteem. The students represent a high-risk population for eating disorders. These latters usually begin during this period, especially in the first years of study. Weight control as observed in eating disorders could report for the tendency of the individual to seek peers’ approval and could reflect a need to respond to a “social desirability”. It seems important to grasp the concerns of body image by focusing on the individual's perception of his body and the value it assigns. This research deals with eating behaviours disturbances and focuses, on the one hand, on body dissatisfaction, on the other hand, on the analysis of the role of different physical self-esteem dimensions on these behaviours. In addition we explore the relationship between social desirability, body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. We wish to bring light on individuals’ body perception within the framework of eating behaviours disturbance. MethodsThis work was conducted with 114 females enrolled in a first year nursing program. We used the Eating Attitudes Test, the Social Desirability Scale, the Body Shape Questionnaire and the Physical Self Inventory. ResultsRegarding EAT scores, 23 students have problematic eating behaviours. The results showed negative links between EAT scores and social desirability, General Self-Esteem, Physical Self-Worth, more especially Sport Competence and Attractive Body. We also found a strong positive link between EAT scores and body dissatisfaction. In addition, women with problematic eating behaviours had moderate body dissatisfaction, which was higher than the others students. Women with problematic eating behaviours had a General Self-Esteem and a Physical Self-Worth, especially Attractive Body, lower than none problematic eating disturbance. Furthermore, body dissatisfaction was a main explanatory factor from problematic eating behaviours. However, General Self-Esteem and Attractive Body seemed to be secondary explanatory factors from anorexia, while Social Desirability and Attractive Body seemed to be secondary explanatory factors from bulimia. ConclusionsThe research aim was to determine the specificity of social desirability, body dissatisfaction and physical self-esteem within eating disturbances. The results show a body dissatisfaction which seems not to follow social pressure underlying by the media influences. According to this view, body investment would reach, or maintain, individual's control and omnipotence, acting on itself and the relationship. These results lead us to consider otherwise the impact of body perception on eating disturbances.