Abstract
Research supports a negative relationship between body dissatisfaction and self-esteem. In line with developmental models of the self, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between social pressures and physical self-perceptions. Older adolescents (N=184, 46% male; Mean age=18.5 (SD=2.4) years) completed self-report questionnaires to assess weight-related social pressures (i.e., negative commentary (NC) and encouragement for weight change (EWC)), source of social pressure, and perceptions of physical self. Partial correlation coefficients, controlling for body weight, were examined among social pressures and physical self-perceptions, and compared across sex. Many females (47% & 49%) and males (31.3% & 20.5%) reported NC and EWC, respectively. NC was related to lower physical self-worth (r=-.27 & -.40) and self-esteem (r=-.24 & -.36) in females and males. EWC was associated with physical self-worth (r=-.21) for females only. Pressure from mothers was significantly associated with perceptions of physical self-worth for females and males (r=-.29), and self-esteem for males (r=-.26). Father and sibling pressure was related to males' self-esteem (r=-.42 & -.27) and physical self-worth for father pressure only (r=-.27). Social pressures were most highly related to perceptions of body fat for females, and both body fat and strength for males. Future research should address reducing "weight talk" and providing youth with coping skills to reduce these consequences.
