A diary study of appearance social comparisons and need frustration in young women

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of state upward appearance comparisons and psychological need frustration on appearance self-conscious emotions, and compensatory dieting and exercise thoughts and behaviours. An Ecological Momentary Assessment design was employed with young women...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Personality and individual differences 2018-02, Vol.122, p.120-126
Main Authors: Thøgersen-Ntoumani, C., Ntoumanis, N., Carey, R., Dodos, L., Quested, E.J., Chatzisarantis, N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Diet
Dietary restriction
Dieting
Ecological Momentary Assessment
Emotions
Exercise
Frustration
Guilt
Linear analysis
Psychological needs
Psychology
Self esteem
Self-Determination Theory
Shame
Social comparisons
Women
Young women
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Summary:The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of state upward appearance comparisons and psychological need frustration on appearance self-conscious emotions, and compensatory dieting and exercise thoughts and behaviours. An Ecological Momentary Assessment design was employed with young women (n=126; Mage=21.26; SD=2.76) who responded to surveys 3 times daily every other day for 1week. Outcome measures included body and appearance self-conscious emotions (shame, guilt, and authentic and hubristic pride) and (thoughts of) dietary restriction and exercise. Mixed linear modelling showed that upward appearance comparisons and psychological need frustration independently predicted several maladaptive appearance-based emotions and behaviours. For thoughts of dietary restriction, an interaction emerged, whereby thoughts of dietary restriction were intensified in situations when participants engaged in upward appearance comparisons and reported high levels of need frustration. The findings suggest that not only upward appearance comparisons but also high levels of state need frustration can make women more vulnerable to self-conscious emotions and compensatory dieting and exercise thoughts and behaviours. •Psychological need frustration (PNF) predicts maladaptive body image outcomes.•The literatures on appearance comparisons (AC) and PNF have not been integrated.•State AC predicted self-conscious emotions, and thoughts of diet and exercise.•State PNF predicted shame, guilt, and thoughts of compensatory dietary restriction.•PNF exacerbated the effect of upward AC on thoughts of dietary restriction.
ISSN:0191-8869
1873-3549
DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2017.10.020