Relationship between BMI, overweight preoccupation, dysfunctional attitude and social avoidance

• Published in: Health psychology research 2018-05, Vol.6 (1)
• Main Authors: Soni, Ekta, Behmani, Rakesh Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2281-2075; 2420-8124
• DOI: 10.4081/hpr.2018.7030

Adolescents generally have egocentrism. They always believe that they are the centre of attraction everywhere. This leads to their worries regarding their body weight and shape. This paper explores different correlates of body image in adolescents. The data was collected from a total of 397 adolescents. On the basis of BMI, this sample was then divided into three groups: underweight, normal weight and overweight. Tools used to study these variables included Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, Dysfunctional Attitude Scale and Social Avoidance Scale. After collecting data one way ANOVA and correlation was computed. Results revealed that there were significant differences between the groups on social avoidance and dysfunctional attitudes. Underweight people are more socially avoidant in comparison to overweight and normal weight people. Underweight people also had low scores on Dysfunctional attitude (social approval, avoidance and dependency) in comparison to normal weight people. Overweight preoccupation is positively correlated to social avoidance and negatively related to dysfunctional attitudes social approval. BMI is negatively related to social avoidance and positively related with Dysfunctional attitude (dependency, avoidance, social approval). Social avoidance is negatively related with dysfunctional attitudes.