One size does not fit all: Trajectories of body image development and their predictors in early adolescence

Abstract

Background: Negative body image predicts many adverse outcomes. The current study prospectively examined patterns of body esteem development in early adolescence and identified predictors of developmental subtypes. Methods: 328 girls and 429 boys reported annually across a 4-year period (Mage at baseline = 11.14, SD = 0.35) on body esteem, appearance ideal internalization, perceived sociocultural pressures, appearance comparisons, appearance-related teasing, self-esteem, positive and negative affect, and dietary restraint. We performed latent class growth analyses to identify the most common trajectories of body esteem development and examine risk and protective factors for body image development. Results: Three developmental subgroups were identified: (a) high body esteem (39.1%); (b) moderate body esteem (46.1%); and (c) low body esteem (14.8%). Body esteem was stable within the low trajectory and there were minor fluctuations in the high and moderate trajectories. Greater appearance-related teasing, lower self-esteem, less positive affect, and higher dietary restraint predicted the low trajectory, whereas higher self-esteem and lower dietary restraint best predicted the high trajectory. Conclusions: Low body esteem appears to be largely stable from age 11 years. Prevention programming may be enhanced by incorporating components to address transdiagnostic resilience factors such as self-esteem and positive affect.

Evaluating the “Dove Confident Me” Five-Session Body Image Intervention Delivered by Teachers in Schools: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Effectiveness Trial

“…Similarly, at first glance, the stability of body image scores in the control group over time may also appear inconsistent with prior longitudinal research investigating singular patterns in body image over time, which has shown body satisfaction typically declines during adolescence [38]. However, we investigated the possibility of multiple developmental trajectories of body esteem within the present control group in a separate study [10]. Consistent with other studies that have also examined multiple trajectories [39,40], we found three developmental subgroups with varying stability in body image over time, which may not appear obvious by examining the mean body image scores for the entire control group presented here.…”

“…A systematic review of classroom-based body image interventions for adolescents identified 3 of 16 interventions produced sustained reductions in body dissatisfaction [7]. Effective interventions addressed internalization of cultural appearance ideals, media literacy, and appearance-related teasing, comparisons, and conversations; all of which have been shown to prospectively predict body dissatisfaction during early adolescence [9,10]. However, there was a lack of consistency in effects across trials on outcomes, and between genders, an overreliance on highly skilled external providers (i.e., psychologists and researchers), and intervention fidelity was rarely assessed.…”

Social Media Use and Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Thin- and Muscular-Ideal Internalisation

“…Many adolescents are highly invested in their appearance and are vulnerable to the development of body image concerns [ 8 , 10 ]. Adolescents begin to demonstrate declines in body esteem (i.e., appearance and weight satisfaction) at 13 years of age [ 11 ] and this persists throughout mid-adolescence [ 12 , 13 ]. A high proportion of boys (50%) and girls (74%) at age 14 have been found to want to modify something about their body [ 14 ].…”

Game on! A randomised controlled trial evaluation of playable technology in improving body satisfaction and negative affect among adolescents

“…Body image concerns are evident in early adolescence, with concerns remaining stable between the ages of 11 and 17 years, if left untreated (Lacroix et al, 2020). These concerns are a prospective risk factor for low self-esteem, depression, disordered eating, smoking, high-risk drinking, drug use and self-harm (Bornioli et al, 2019(Bornioli et al, , 2020Wichstrøm & von Soest 2016).…”