How drive for thinness moderates the influence of media on female body image
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Authors
Pavelo, Maria
Issue Date
2006-09-20T16:28:38Z
Item Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keyword
body image , female , media , thinness , dieting , weight , Self-esteem
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate how drive for thinness moderates the influence of media on female body image and self-esteem. Drive for thinness is defined as an excessive concern with dieting, preoccupation with weight, and fear of weight gain. Forty-two female undergraduates taking Introductory and Cognitive Psychology classes completed a questionnaire measuring dieting behavior, with 21 exhibiting a high drive for thinness and 21 revealing a low drive for thinness. Participants recorded pleasure ratings as they viewed either 8 slides of thin female models or 8 slides of plus-size female models. They next answered 2 questionnaires, one measuring self-esteem and body image and the other a figure rating scale. Significant differences were found between the low and high drive for thinness groups, independent of the type of media image viewed. Participants with a high drive for thinness had lower self-esteem scores and greater negative body image.