The self-equilibrium hypothesis underlines the importance of having a strong core self, which is defined as a high and developmentally stable self-concept. This study tested this hypothesis in relation to body image (BI) trajectories in a sample of 1,006 adolescents (Mage = 12.6, including 541 males and 465 females) across a 4-year period. The results supported the self-equilibrium hypothesis among 3 profiles of adolescents, all characterized by matching BI levels and stability: (a) High (48.0%); (b) Increasing (34.1%); and (c) Decreasing (17.9%). Boys presented higher levels of BI, and the quality of relationships with peers and parents predicted initially more desirable trajectories across gender. By the end of the study, more positive academic outcomes were associated with the Decreasing profile, lower internalizing problems with the High profile, and lower externalizing problems with the High and the Increasing profiles.

Adolescents' body image trajectories: A further test of the self-equilibrium hypothesis

SCALAS, LAURA FRANCESCA;
2017-01-01

Abstract

The self-equilibrium hypothesis underlines the importance of having a strong core self, which is defined as a high and developmentally stable self-concept. This study tested this hypothesis in relation to body image (BI) trajectories in a sample of 1,006 adolescents (Mage = 12.6, including 541 males and 465 females) across a 4-year period. The results supported the self-equilibrium hypothesis among 3 profiles of adolescents, all characterized by matching BI levels and stability: (a) High (48.0%); (b) Increasing (34.1%); and (c) Decreasing (17.9%). Boys presented higher levels of BI, and the quality of relationships with peers and parents predicted initially more desirable trajectories across gender. By the end of the study, more positive academic outcomes were associated with the Decreasing profile, lower internalizing problems with the High profile, and lower externalizing problems with the High and the Increasing profiles.
2017
Adolescence; Body image; Growth mixture; Self-equilibrium; Trajectories; Demography; Developmental and Educational Psychology; Life-span and Life-course Studies
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Morin et al. 2017 self-equilibrium.pdf

Solo gestori archivio

Tipologia: versione editoriale (VoR)
Dimensione 1.34 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.34 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Morin et al. 2017_prepublication.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: versione post-print (AAM)
Dimensione 2.13 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.13 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11584/224267
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 0
  • Scopus 22
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 20
social impact