Master's Theses

Department

Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

This study examines four major variables: body dissatisfaction, unhealthy body mass index (BMI), body image distortion, and drive for thinness. Specifically, the relations among body dissatisfaction, unhealthy BMI, and body image distortion to an individual's drive for thinness were of interest. The drive for thinness variable is a cardinal feature of eating disorders and was used in this study due to its significantly high predictive nature. It was predicted that body image distortion is the mediating process through which body dissatisfaction and BMI influence an individual's drive for thinness. The study assessed both male (n=45) and female (n=48) undergraduate participants between the ages of 18 and 24. The participants were given the Eating Disorder Inventory-II (EDI-II) and Body Figure Perception Questionnaire (BFPQ) to classify the subjects' level of body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and provide information that was pertinent in determining the individual's degree of body image distortion. The participant's height and weight were also obtained to calculate his or her extent of unhealthy BMI. The level of perceptual body distortion was determined by comparing the individual's body mass index (BMI) weight relative to his or her perceived size as indicated by their response of the BFPQ. The degree of body dissatisfaction was also examined by comparing his or her perceived versus ideal body figure on the BFPQ, The participants' height and weight were measured and recorded in a private room outside of the auditorium. This is a Time 1/Time 2 study design and the same groups of participants were asked to complete the same testing requirements approximately one month after the initial data collection.

Keywords

Psychology

Advisor

Greg Turek

Date of Award

Summer 2005

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

Rights

© The Author(s)

Comments

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