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BrennanJulieAnn2002 ecm.pdf (3.65 MB)

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Body Image and Eating Behavior Social Norms in the College Population: Finding Inconsistencies between Perceptions and Actual Attitudes and Behavior

Brennan, Julie Ann
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392901057

Abstract Details

2002, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Within the college population, a high risk of body image and eating disturbances has been found and is on the rise. This study responded to this rise of disturbance by exploring a possible intervention strategy based on the social norms theory. The social norms theory states that individuals often incorrectly perceive the behaviors and/or attitudes of their social group to be different than their own; overemphasizing the negative behaviors and underemphasizing the positive behaviors. In these cases, the incorrect perceived norm actually may be detrimental to individual behavioral choices. By publicly correcting these misperceptions, negative behavior and attitudes that were once seen as “normal,” are hypothesized to decrease. This approach has been effective in reducing binge drinking at numerous colleges, but has not been attempted in the area of body image and eating disturbances. This study attempted to provide evidence that this approach might be effective to reduce body image and eating disturbances. This was completed by analyzing the difference between college students’ actual body image behaviors and attitudes and the perceptions of other college students’ behaviors and attitudes. In addition, gender differences were analyzed and examined. Participants included 180 undergraduate students (102 male and 78 female) enrolled in an introductory psychology course at a large midwestern university. The measures that were administered included the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, Sociocultural Attitudes toward Appearance, Eating Attitudes Test, Attitude toward Overweight Questionnaire, Contour Figure Rating Scale, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. A paired samples t-test revealed that body image misperceptions do exist among college students (both genders) on all tested measures, overestimating negative behaviors and attitudes and underestimating positive behaviors and attitudes. A MANOVA analyses indicated that gender differences exist for the evaluation and importance of appearance, overweight preoccupation, the acceptance of societal standards, eating disturbance behavior, figure dissatisfaction, self-esteem, and attitudes toward overweight individuals. Of particular importance is that 95% of body dissatisfied females wanted to lose weight, whereas, half of dissatisfied males wanted to lose weight and half wanted to gain weight. These results suggest that the social norms theory is applicable to body image issues. Further research needs to explore how a social norms approach might be best implemented due to gender differences in the college population. In addition, male body image may need to be explored more extensively with additional measures that address issues regarding attempts to gain weight rather than just lose weight.
Don Dell (Advisor)
Richard K. Russell (Committee Member)
W. Bruce Walsh (Committee Member)
104 p.
Psychology

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Citations

  • Brennan, J. A. (2002). Body Image and Eating Behavior Social Norms in the College Population: Finding Inconsistencies between Perceptions and Actual Attitudes and Behavior [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392901057

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Brennan, Julie. Body Image and Eating Behavior Social Norms in the College Population: Finding Inconsistencies between Perceptions and Actual Attitudes and Behavior. 2002. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392901057.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Brennan, Julie. "Body Image and Eating Behavior Social Norms in the College Population: Finding Inconsistencies between Perceptions and Actual Attitudes and Behavior." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392901057

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1392901057
195
© 2002, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.