The role of maternal psychological control and pressure on body image in a child's drive for thinness

Abstract

Background The drive for thinness (DFT), an indicator of disordered eating, is strongly predicted by body dissatisfaction (BD). In early adolescence, there are other predictors of DFT which rise from the mother-child relationship such as maternal psychological control (PC) and the motheŕs pressure on the child's body image (MP). The explanation of DFT by the child's self-perception of BD and PC as well as the mother’s perception of MP among early-adolescent boys and girls has great importance for public health and is therefore the aim of this study. Methods The research sample consisted of 191 Slovak adolescents (53.4% of girls, Mage=12.54, SD = 0.58) who completed the Children’s Body Image Scale, DFT subscale of Eating Disorders Inventory, Psychological Control Scale-Youth Self-Report; and their mothers (Mage=40.45, SD = 4.71) who completed the Parental Influence Subscale. Structural equation modelling was performed. Results A hypothesized model was tested to explain DFT by PC and BD, associated with four sources of MP. The tested model did not fit the data well enough. A modified model, where three insignificant sources of MP were excluded, fitted the data well (SRMR=.06, CFI=.95, RMSEA=.04, PCLOSE=.74) and explained 22% of the variance in DFT. The model was statistically equivalent for both genders. DFT was associated with BD (β=.42; <.001), PC (β=.2; <.05) and indirectly with the source of MP - child's body image preoccupation (CBI) (β=.15; <.05), through BD. CBI was associated with BD (β=.27; <.05). Conclusions The results point to the importance of BD, PC and CBI - a factor reflecting motheŕs direct pressure on the child's body image, in explaining DFT among early adolescent boys and girls. Other sources of MP (reflecting the motheŕs concern about her own body image) were not significant in this context. BD and disordered eating prevention strategies for adolescents indicate a respectful mother-child relationship, avoiding pressure and control. Key messages A motheŕs direct pressure on child's body image, psychological control and body dissatisfaction are significant in explaining the drive for thinness among early adolescents. Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating prevention strategies for adolescents indicate a respectful mother–child relationship, avoiding pushing a child to think, feel, or act as the mother wants.