Self-image and eating disorder symptoms in normal and clinical adolescents

• Published in: Eating behaviors : an international journal 2014-01, Vol.15 (1), p.125-131
• Main Authors: Forsén Mantilla, Emma, Bergsten, Katja, Birgegård, Andreas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Body Image - psychology; Eating behavior disorders; Eating disorder; Feeding and Eating Disorders - psychology; Female; Gender differences; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Miscellaneous; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Risk Factors; SASB; Self Concept; Self-image; Sex Factors; Sweden
• ISSN: 1471-0153; 1873-7358; 1873-7358
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2013.11.008

Eating disorders (ED) are psychiatric disorders of multifactorial origin, predominantly appearing in adolescence. Negative self-image is identified as risk factor, but the association between self-image and ED in adolescents or sex differences regarding such associations remains unclear. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between specific self-image aspects and ED symptoms in normal and clinical adolescents, including sex differences. Participants included 855 ED patients (girls=813, boys=42) and 482 normal adolescents (girls=238, boys=244), 13–15years. Stepwise regression demonstrated strong associations between self-image and ED in normal adolescents (girls: R2=.31, boys: R2=.08), and stronger associations in patients (girls: R2=.64, boys: R2=.69). Qualitative sex differences were observed in patients. Connections between specific self-image aspects and ED have implications for clinical management of ED. The strong link between self-image variables and ED symptoms in normal girls, but not boys, is discussed in terms of the continuity–discontinuity hypothesis. •We examine relations between self-image and ED in normal and clinical adolescents.•We look at gender differences regarding such relations.•Self-blame/self-affirmation is strongly related to ED in patients and normal girls.•The relations are qualitatively different in male and female patients.•Relations between self-image and ED have implications for treatment and prevention.