Goralski, Layla (2022) The Relationship Between Upward Social Comparison Tendency and Weight-Loss Dieting in College Women: The Influence of Body-Envy and Body-Admiration. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
|
Text
BAThesis_S3977226_L.Goralski.pdf Download (599kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Weight-loss dieting (WLD) is a risk factor for developing eating pathology among college women. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the motivation behind WLD. Previous research has suggested upward social comparison with various manifestations of the so-called thin- ideal in Western societies as an essential factor. However, the mediating mechanisms through which upward social comparisons influence WLD in women are still relatively unknown. The present study aimed to elucidate these mechanisms and hypothesized that upward social comparison tendency affects WLD through both frequencies of body-envy and body- admiration. Specifically, more frequent upward social comparisons were expected to lead to more frequent experiences of both body-envy and body-admiration, increasing the tendency to engage in WLD. However, frequency of body-envy was expected to be a stronger mediator than frequency of body-admiration. Based on previous studies, the effects were predicted to occur independently of body size. To test these hypotheses, a cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from a convenience sample of German-speaking college women (N = 239). The results were in line with the predictions, meaning there was no direct link between upward social comparison tendency and WLD but rather two indirect effects through both frequencies of body-envy and body-admiration. As expected, frequency of body-envy was a stronger mediator, and the effects occurred across all different body sizes. The results suggest that women with a high tendency to compare upward are especially at risk of engaging in extreme WLD and developing an eating disorder through frequent episodes of body-envy and body-admiration. Therefore, they should be the main target of interventions dealing with these emotions. Keywords: weight-loss dieting, upward social comparison, body-envy, body- admiration, college women, cross-sectional
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Dalley, S.E. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Jul 2022 11:48 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Jul 2022 11:48 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1018 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |