Empowerment, Feminism and Self-Efficacy: Relationships with Disordered Body Image and Eating
- ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Jessica Abaigeal Kinsaul (Creator)
- Institution
- Appalachian State University (ASU )
- Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
- Advisor
- Lisa Curtin
Abstract: Eating disorders are prevalent in the United States, relate to significant psychological and
health problems, and primarily affect women. Sociocultural norms pertaining to an ideal of
thinness for women are considered central in the development of disordered eating and
disturbed body image. On the other hand, adoption of a feministic ideology, empowerment
and self-efficacy are thought to have protective value with regards to body image and eating
behavior. Undergraduate women (n = 184) enrolled in psychology classes completed selfreport
measures of feminism, empowerment, self-efficacy, body image and eating
attitudes/behavior. Inconsistent with hypotheses, there was no relationship between feminism
and disordered eating. However, as hypothesized, positive perceptions of personal body
image related positively with later stages of feminism. Negative body image and disordered
eating were associated with lower self-efficacy, and, consistent with hypotheses, self-efficacy
predicted disordered eating and body image beyond what was predicted by empowerment.
Self-efficacy may serve as a protective factor for college aged women from disordered eating
and negative body image, although the present study is limited by reliance on correlational
rather than longitudinal data. Increased self-efficacy appears to be a promising treatment
target in the context of eating and body image disorder treatment.
Empowerment, Feminism and Self-Efficacy: Relationships with Disordered Body Image and Eating
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Created on 12/29/2010
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Kinsaul, J.A. (2010). Empowerment, Feminism and Self-Efficacy: Relationships with Disordered Body Image and Eating. Unpublished master’s thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
- Language: English
- Date: 2010