Attachment style and weight concerns in preadolescent and adolescent girls

Abstract

Objective:The purpose of this study was to assess the association between attachment style and weight concerns, a major risk factor for eating disorders, in preadolescent and adolescent girls. Method: Three hundred and five female elementary and middle school students completed measures of attachment style and weight concerns. Results: Insecurely attached subjects reported higher weight concerns than did securely attached subjects. A greater proportion of insecurely attached subjects obtained ''at risk'' weight concerns scores than securely attached subjects. Discussion: The findings suggest that attachment style may play an important role in the development of weight concerns, which, in turn, have been shown to be associated with the onset of eating disorders.

The positive influence of maternal identification on body image, eating attitudes, and self‐esteem of Hispanic and Anglo girls

“…This is consistent with Surrey's (1991) belief that the identification process is really a mutual one between mothers and daughters, and furthermore, it is characterized by a reciprocal sensitivity and responsiveness to each other's feelings that serves to promote caring and the valuing of relationships. Relatedly, studies have found healthier eating and weight attitudes among families in which there is greater closeness, more time spent together, a greater expression of feelings (Attie & Brooks-Gunn, 1989), higher perceived maternal caring (Haudek, Rorty, & Henker, 1999), and a secure attachment style (Sharpe et al, 1998).…”

A cluster randomised controlled trial to determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of classroom-based cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) in reducing symptoms of depression in high-risk adolescents

“…Secondary outcomes were the personal failure subscale of the Children's Automatic Thoughts Scale (CATS), 34 Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory, 35 Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS), 36 School Connectedness Scale, 37 Attachment Questionnaire for Children 38 and items relating to bullying (Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire 39 ), self-harm, cannabis use, use of other 'street drugs' (e.g. amphetamines, LSD, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, crack, heroin), and alcohol use over the last 6 months.…”

“…l Attachment style: Because attachment style is known to be a significant predictor of both depression and anxiety in adolescents 100,101 peer attachment will be captured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months using the Attachment Questionnaire for Children. 38 This is a single-item measure whereby respondents select one of three statements to best describe how they feel in their friendships. This measure was selected due to its use in previous studies.…”

Risk factors in the development of anorexia nervosa

“…Pozitivna korelacija utvrđena je i između simptoma poremećaja ishrane i preokupiranog stila afektivnog vezivanja, što se pokazalo kao dobar prediktor u predviđanju da li osoba pripada kontrolnoj grupi ili grupi osoba s poremećajem ishrane (Suldo & Sandberg, 2000). Nesigurni stil je kod žena iz nekliničke populacije povezan s većom okupiranošću težinom, nezadovoljstvom telom i stavovima karakterističnim za poremećaje ishrane (Sharpe et al, 1998). Dok sigurni stil afektivnog vezivanja korelira negativno, preokupirani i odbacujući stilovi pozitivno koreliraju sa simptomima poremećaja ishrane kod studentkinja (Suldo & Sandberg, 2000).…”