Does Friendship Matter? An Examination of Social Physique Anxiety in Adolescence

Examining Possible Determinants of Kinesiology Students' Social Physique Anxiety: A Multiple Indicator Multiple Independent Cause Model

In this study, we expanded on previous research by employing a Multiple Indicators, Multiple Independent Causes (MIMIC) model to investigate how gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and perceived stress may have collectively influenced social physique anxiety (SPA) among 593 college kinesiology students. Our MIMIC model revealed that perceived stress, gender, and BMI were significantly related to SPA scores, with perceived stress being the strongest factor. Moreover, the relationship between gender and kinesiology students' SPA scores was consistent across different ages. These findings broaden the spectrum of the current nomological network regarding predictors of SPA. Based on these findings, future researchers should extend the current MIMIC model by including more predictor variables (e.g., depression, mood, & mental toughness) to gain additional and perhaps deeper insights. Additionally, we advocate for the adoption of the MIMIC model of statistical analysis in future SPA research.

Personality and motivation of physical activity in adolescent girls: effects of perceived parental support and social physical anxiety

In the present study, we investigated the relationship between personality and motivation for physical activity while introducing perceived parental support and social physical anxiety in adolescent girls (N = 318, Mage: 16.19 ± 0.51 years). The present study was a retrospective correlational study that was conducted to analyze of a path model. Dark triad traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy, student's motivation for physical activity, social physique anxiety, and participants' perceptions of parents' behaviors were measured. The findings indicated that psychopathy and Machiavellianism were directly and indirectly associated with motivation for physical activity, but Narcissism could only directly predict the motivation for physical activity. Also, need-thwarting (the most), need-supportive and social physical anxiety could predict motivation for physical activity. This model of the result suggests that among adolescent girls, dark triad personality could, directly and indirectly, predict motivation with need-supportive and need-thwarting and also social physical anxiety. It seems that the sense of importance and more attention to oneself in adolescent girls, which exists in the narcissistic personality, can directly lead to more motivation for physical activity. Also, the duplicitous ways of Machiavellian people in pursuing their motives were confirmed in this research.

Social Physique Anxiety Scale: Psychometric Evaluation and Development of a Chinese Adaptation

The Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) is a popular measure of individual anxiety related to body image. This study assessed the psychometric properties of the 12-, 9-, 8- and 7-item versions of the SPAS. Two cross-sectional studies recruited 466 Chinese university students. Study 1 (n = 273) evaluated the construct validity and internal consistency of the SPAS. Study 2 (n = 193) further assessed the construct validity, factorial validity, internal consistency, convergent validity and divergent validity of the SPAS. The results indicated that none of the existing SPAS versions possess good psychometric properties suitable for the Chinese student population. In short, a new 7-item version of the SPAS that is more suitable for measuring social physique anxiety among Chinese university students. The implications of our results and future research directions are discussed.

Social physique anxiety and physical activity behaviour of male and female exercisers

Despite females consistently reporting greater social physique anxiety (SPA), previous literature has yet to demonstrate whether SPA gender differences are linked to the way males and females perform physical activity. This study investigated an association between SPA and physical activity frequency, history of exercise, and physical activity intensity. Participants were represented by currently active users (N = 33 males; N = 31 females) of an on-campus university-run gym and completed a background physical activity questionnaire and the nine-item Social Physique Anxiety Scale. Participants also performed an exercise session at a self-selected level of exertion, with the intensity of each session measured via heart rate monitor. SPA was not associated with physical activity frequency, history of exercise (length of gym membership), or intensity for male and female exercisers. With respect to male participants, females reported higher SPA and a preference for performing higher intensity physical activity. Females and males also indicated a preference for performing aerobic and anaerobic physical activity respectively. Our findings suggest the experience of SPA does not deter body-conscious individuals from the performance of regular physical activity. Findings also suggest the discrepancy in male and female SPA is not linked to differences in the way physical activity is performed.

Weight control beliefs, body shape attitudes, and physical activity among adolescents

BACKGROUND

Relatively little is known about how perceived weight controllability influences important psychological health factors among adolescents. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore adolescents' weight controllability beliefs and how those beliefs influence weight-related attitudes and behaviors.

METHODS

Adolescents (N = 369, mean age = 13.14, SD = 0.95) enrolled in physical education completed a survey packet, which included demographic questions and items targeting obesity, body shape, and weight controllability beliefs.

RESULTS

Participants believed that fat children have weight problems because they consume too many calories, are lazy, have access to junk food, and lack self-control. Those who endorsed high weight controllability beliefs were more likely to indicate that a thin person, as compared to a fat person, would enjoy physical activity and be coordinated, have higher levels of personal weight and body shape satisfaction, and engage in vigorous physical activity more days per week.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceived weight controllability may be an important construct to study further, particularly in relationship to health- and weight-related attitudes and behaviors.