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Body Image as a Predictor of S ocial A cceptance Laurie Grad, Maria Stevens, & Sarah K. Sifers Minnesota State University, Mankato. Abstract. Results. Discussion. act - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Body Image as a Predictor of Social Acceptance Laurie Grad, Maria Stevens, & Sarah K. Sifers
Minnesota State University, Mankato
act This study looked at adolescents that participated in a program to
foster physical and emotional well-being. The results showed that a
change in body image predicted a statistically insignificant
improvement in social acceptance after controlling for social
acceptance at the start of the program. Therefore, the improvement
in social acceptance during Girls on the Run is due to changing
social acceptance itself rather than changing body image.
Body image and social acceptance are pertinent issues during
adolescence. Previous literature has shown that perceived physical
competence and body image were both predictors of perceived peer
acceptance in adolescents (Lyu & Gill, 2012). Other studies have
illustrated that friendship variables contributed significantly to
body image concern and body dissatisfaction (Gerner & Wilson,
2005). Since these variables have shown to influence each other it is
valuable to further research their relationship.
A total of 342 girls from third to eighth grade in a small Midwestern
metropolitan area participated in a program to foster physical and
emotional wellbeing while preparing for a 5k event. Participants
were given a pre-survey, which included the Children’s Body Image
Scale (CBIS; Truby & Paxton, 2002) and Self-Perception Profile for
Children (SPPC; Harter, 1985) . After they completed the Girls On
The Run program they completed these assessments a second time.
Paired samples t-tests were conducted to evaluate whether self-
perception of social acceptance and body image changed over the
course of the program. Results indicated that the mean social
acceptance score on the pre-test (M = 3.13, SD = .64) was lower than
on the post-test (M = 3.23, SD = .62), t(235) = -2.85, p = .005. Results
indicated that the mean body image score on the pre-test indicated
worse body image than on the post-test, t(293) = 3.11, p = .002. A
multiple regression analysis was conducted to evaluate predictors of
this change. The model showed that approximately 43% of the
variance was accounted for by change in body image and social
acceptance at Time 1 (F(2, 231) = 88.46, p <.001). Social acceptance
at Time 1 predicted social acceptance at Time 2 (b = .66, p < .001).
However, the change in body image, while controlling for
acceptance at Time 1, was not significant in predicting social
acceptance at Time 2 (b = .067, p = .18).
Although both perception of social acceptance and body image
improved, the change in body image did not predict self-acceptance
at the end of the program. Thus, the focus of the program on both
social acceptance and body image should be maintained because
emphasizing body image alone will not be likely to improve girls’
perceptions of their social acceptance to a significant degree. For
example, continuing activities focused on both team building (social
acceptance) and body image.
Gerner, B., Wilson, P.H. (2005). The relationship between
friendship factors and adolescent girls’ body image concern, body
dissatisfaction, and restrained eating. International Journal of
Eating Disorders, 37, 313-320.
Harter, S. (1985). Manual for the Self-Perception Profile for
Children. Denver, CO: University of Denver.
Lyu, M., Gill, D. (2012). Perceived physical competence and body
image as predictors of perceived peer acceptance in adolescents.
Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 15, 37-48.
Truby, H. & Paxton, S. J. (2002). Development of the Children’s
Body Image Scale. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 41, 185-
203.
Abstract
Methods
Introduction
Results Discussion
References
Social Acceptance & Body Image
Variable Social Acceptance T2
Change in Body Image M SD
Social Acceptance T1
.66** -.138* 3.11 .65
Social Acceptance T2
.017 3.22 .62
Change in Body Image
.21 1.18