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Nam SY, Cheuk Ying Crystal L, Charlton C, Lai Ming Christy H, Ming Yin Stephanie W, Tak Hing Michael W, Kit Wa Sherry C, Ho Ming Edwin L, Yu Hai Eric C. Unpacking the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between ideal-actual self-discrepancy, stressful life events, depression and anxiety: Results from 1,144 young people in an epidemiological study in Hong Kong. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:1166-1175. [PMID: 36738097 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231152691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-discrepancy is associated with poorer mental health, yet its mechanism is understudied. A recent study found that resilience plays a moderating role in the relationship between self-discrepancy and depressive symptoms in adults. The current study investigated whether there were any similar relationships among young people aged 15 to 24 years. METHODS As part of the ongoing Hong Kong Epidemiological Study of Mental Health (HK-YES) project, the current study analysed data from 1,144 participants who provided complete data on ideal-actual selfdiscrepancy, psychiatric conditions, resilience level and recent stressful life events (SLEs). RESULTS Ideal-actual self-discrepancies were associated with increased depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as odds of 12-month major depressive episodes (MDEs) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). All these associations became nonsignificant after adjusting for resilience. Separate models found resilience mediating rather than moderating the relationship. According to four-way decomposition, the pure indirect effect explained most of the total effects of self-discrepancy on mental health conditions. The mediation effects on symptom severity were recently revealed to be more prominent among individuals with substantial exposure to SLE. CONCLUSIONS Resilience functions mainly as a mediator in the relationship between self-discrepancy and mental health conditions, and its effect is weakened by the exposure of SLEs. Important implications are discussed regarding the use of resilience-focused interventions and the consideration of recent adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suen Yi Nam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Cheung Charlton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | | | | | - Chan Kit Wa Sherry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lee Ho Ming Edwin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chen Yu Hai Eric
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Lipowska M, Lipowski M, Kosakowska-Berezecka N, Dykalska D, Łada-Maśko A, Izydorczyk B. Does obesity rule out happiness? Preschool children's perceptions of beauty-related happiness. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:339. [PMID: 35690742 PMCID: PMC9188036 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03396-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is considered to be one of the most important factors reducing the sense of happiness and satisfaction with life, especially among women. This belief already exists in middle childhood, as the preschool period is a crucial point in the development of attitudes towards beauty. Preschoolers can identify physically attractive individuals, and they might already form attributions regarding the looks of adults (especially women), which in turn may constitute a foundation for their future concept of beauty-related happiness. Children's attitudes towards the body are also strongly influenced by the content of gender stereotypes that prescribe and proscribe what women and men should look like. In our study, we aimed to analyse the relationship between associations of obesity and happiness made by preschool girls and boys (5-year-olds). METHODS A total of 680 families with five-year-old children (329 girls, 351 boys; Mage = 5.7 years) and both parents took part in the study. Children's associations of different types of body sizes with perceptions of happiness were measured with the Beauty & Health pictorial scale. RESULTS Our results indicate that obese bodies were seen as unattractive, independent of gender (p < .001). Children associated looks with happiness-the body type identified as the most physically attractive was also seen as a happiest person. Lowest happiness scores were also ascribed to obese body types, but girls assessed men with a normal body type as happier than boys (t = 2.87, p = .004). CONCLUSIONS Female bodies are already perceived along gender stereotypical lines at the age of 5, and are also related to potential predictions concerning women's happiness. Children assessed female individuals with slim bodies, as well as those with normal weight, as happier than obese females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Lipowska
- Institute of Psychology, University of Gdańsk, Bażyńskiego 4, 80-309, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Mariusz Lipowski
- Department of Psychology, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Dorota Dykalska
- Institute of Psychology, University of Gdańsk, Bażyńskiego 4, 80-309, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ariadna Łada-Maśko
- Institute of Psychology, University of Gdańsk, Bażyńskiego 4, 80-309, Gdańsk, Poland
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Fan H, Gan Y, Wang R, Chen S, Lipowska M, Li J, Li K, Krokosz D, Yang Y, Lipowski M. The Relationship between Obligatory Exercise and Eating Attitudes, and the Mediating Role of Sociocultural Attitudes towards Appearance during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nutrients 2021; 13:4286. [PMID: 34959839 PMCID: PMC8709158 DOI: 10.3390/nu13124286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A strong sociocultural context could affect an individual's aesthetic standards. In order to achieve a socially recognized ideal appearance, obligatory exercisers might increase dieting behavior when exercise actions are disturbed, thereby placing the individual at risk of eating disorders. The current study mainly examined the relationship between obligatory exercise and eating attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and considered the mediating role of externalized sociocultural attitudes towards appearance between the two. A total of 342 participants (175 females, 167 males) from various regions of China were invited to fill out the questionnaires including the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire, the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire-3, and the Eating Attitudes Test. In total, 51.5% of the participants presented symptoms of an obligatory exercise behavior. Among them, males, young adults, and the participants with lower BMI had higher OEQ scores, whereas females and young adults had higher EAT-26 scores. Meanwhile, 9.4% of the participants might have had an eating disorder. The OEQ score was positively correlated with the EAT-26 total score as well as SATAQ-3 'Pressures' and 'Information' subscales. In addition, the EAT-26 total score was positively correlated with the SATAQ-3 'Pressures' and 'Information' subscales. Externalized sociocultural attitudes towards appearance served as a mediator between obligatory exercise behavior and eating attitudes, and the mediation effect accounted for 56.82% of the total effect. Obligatory exercise behavior may have an indirect effect on eating attitudes through sociocultural attitudes towards appearance. Given the sociocultural information and pressures, in order to maintain or pursue an ideal appearance, many people tend to keep a pathological diet. Thus, forming a positive and healthy social aesthetic orientation is beneficial in helping obligatory exercisers to develop reasonable eating habits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongying Fan
- School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China; (Y.G.); (R.W.); (S.C.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Youteng Gan
- School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China; (Y.G.); (R.W.); (S.C.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Ruohang Wang
- School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China; (Y.G.); (R.W.); (S.C.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Siming Chen
- School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China; (Y.G.); (R.W.); (S.C.); (Y.Y.)
| | | | - Jianye Li
- Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, Górskiego 1, 80-336 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.L.); (K.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Keqiang Li
- Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, Górskiego 1, 80-336 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.L.); (K.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Daniel Krokosz
- Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, Górskiego 1, 80-336 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.L.); (K.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Yin Yang
- School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China; (Y.G.); (R.W.); (S.C.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Mariusz Lipowski
- Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, Górskiego 1, 80-336 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.L.); (K.L.); (D.K.)
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Psychological Risk Factors for the Development of Restrictive and Bulimic Eating Behaviors: A Polish and Vietnamese Comparison. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13030910. [PMID: 33799636 PMCID: PMC8001869 DOI: 10.3390/nu13030910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to identify psychological factors which are culture specific or common predictors for restrictive and bulimic behaviors towards eating for young women raised in different cultures. The study included 661 young women from Poland (n = 233) and Vietnam (n = 428). Subjects filled-in the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-3) and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scales (MBSRQ-AS), and body measurements were collected to calculate anthropometric indices. Women form Vietnam were less satisfied with their appearance than were their Polish peers, but Vietnamese showed a lower level of preoccupation with being overweight and fear of obesity. Intercultural differences indicate that Vietnamese women show greater intensities for psychological variables, connected with restrictive and bulimic eating behaviors, verified in the research model: low self-esteem, personal alienation, interpersonal insecurity, interpersonal alienation, emotional dysregulation, interoceptive deficits, perfectionism and asceticism, and anxiety.
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Mazurkiewicz N, Krefta J, Lipowska M. Attitudes Towards Appearance and Body-Related Stigma Among Young Women With Obesity and Psoriasis. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:788439. [PMID: 34858238 PMCID: PMC8631861 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.788439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of this study was to investigate the role of the subjective assessment of one's body image in the relationship between objective indices of appearance and perceived stigma in young women affected by obesity and psoriasis. These are chronic diseases that decrease one's physical attractiveness and are associated with stigmas related to body defects. A total of 188 women in early adulthood took part in the study (M = 25.58; SD = 2.90), including obese women (n = 54), women suffering from psoriasis (n = 57), and a control group (n = 77). The participants completed the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, Perceived Stigmatisation Questionnaire, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Anthropometric data were gathered using a body composition analyzer. Objective parameters of body shape were calculated (WHR and ICO). Subjective assessment of one's body and attitudes towards one's body were found to influence perceived stigma, independently of the condition causing the stigma and of the objective appearance of the participant. This study did not support the existence of a relationship between parameters regarding body shape and sense of stigma, even when subjective body assessment acted as a moderator. At the same time, body mass was a strong predictor of levels of perceived stigma. Women affected with obesity perceived a higher level of stigma than the other groups. The severity of psoriasis did not impact the perceived stigma. Moreover, women with psoriasis assessed their health-as a part of the assessment of their bodies-the highest, which may explain the lower perceived stigma in this group.
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Izydorczyk B, Truong Thi Khanh H, Lizińczyk S, Sitnik-Warchulska K, Lipowska M, Gulbicka A. Body Dissatisfaction, Restrictive, and Bulimic Behaviours Among Young Women: A Polish-Japanese Comparison. Nutrients 2020; 12:E666. [PMID: 32121384 PMCID: PMC7146317 DOI: 10.3390/nu12030666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing number of women, who are characterized by restrictive and bulimic behaviours towards their own body is observed especially in countries influenced by Westernalization. However, there is a lack of cross-cultural studies in this area. The main aim of the present study was to examine the psychological and socio-cultural risk factors for eating disorders in Polish and Japanese women. A cross-sectional research study was conducted among 18- to 29-year old Polish (n = 89) and Japanese (n = 97) women. The variables were measured using the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Scale SATAQ-3, and the Eating Disorders Inventory EDI-3. The descriptive and comparative statistics, Spearman's rho, and the stepwise regression analysis were used. The global internalization of socio-cultural standards of body image proved to be a significant predictor of Body Dissatisfaction among Polish and Japanese women. The main analysis showed a significant relation between the Drive for Thinness and Interoceptive Deficits in the group of Japanese women, as well as a correlation between Drive for Thinness and Asceticism in the group of Polish women. The obtained results could improve the prevention aimed the dysfunctional eating behaviours. However, the cultural nuances need to be considered in understanding the risk factors for eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadetta Izydorczyk
- Faculty of Management and Social Communication, Institute of Applied Psychology Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Krakow, Poland; (B.I.); (K.S.-W.)
| | - Ha Truong Thi Khanh
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi 336, Vietnam;
| | - Sebastian Lizińczyk
- Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 40-326 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Sitnik-Warchulska
- Faculty of Management and Social Communication, Institute of Applied Psychology Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Krakow, Poland; (B.I.); (K.S.-W.)
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Izydorczyk B, Sitnik-Warchulska K, Lizińczyk S, Lipowska M. Socio-Cultural Standards Promoted by the Mass Media as Predictors of Restrictive and Bulimic Behavior. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:506. [PMID: 32581880 PMCID: PMC7283604 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Research lacks in verifying the nature of the relationship between mass media pressure, body image, and the risk of unhealthy eating behaviors. This study aimed to investigate whether the internalization of sociocultural norms, perceived pressure or searching for information about body image promoted by the mass media directly affect restrictive and bulimic behavior toward eating, through the mediating role of body image and physical appearance variables. The research hypotheses were that (1, 2) body image, the pressure and the internalization of sociocultural norms are significant predictors of unhealthy eating behavior among women and men; and (3) the variables related to body image play the role of the mediating variable between the impact of socio-cultural standards of body image promoted by the mass media and unhealthy eating behavior. The sample comprised 514 Polish men and women, aged 16 to 63 old (men M=24.35; SD=13.53; women M=24.77; SD=7.61), with average Body Mass Index (BMI). Assessment comprised the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Scale (SATAQ-3), Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI 3), The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ-AS), and the author's survey questionnaire. The descriptive and comparative statistics, and a path analysis (structural equations modeling) were applied. The statistical analysis showed that the variables related to body image do not play the role of intermediary variables. The pressure of sociocultural standards of body image and physical appearance had the strongest and most direct effect on the development of restrictive eating behavior and appeared to negatively affect body image in women. The search of information on body image in the mass media had the strongest and most direct impact on the development of bulimic eating behavior among women. However, only the global internalization of sociocultural standards of body image and physical appearance had a significant and direct effect on the development of bulimic eating behavior in men. Moreover, the internalization of athletic body shape standards had the strongest and most positive impact on some aspects of body image in this group. No sociocultural variables showed a direct impact on restrictive behavior among studied men. BMI had a positive and direct impact on individual body part satisfaction. These results may help improve prevention of eating disorders and dysfunctional eating behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadetta Izydorczyk
- Faculty of Management and Social Communication, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Sitnik-Warchulska
- Faculty of Management and Social Communication, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sebastian Lizińczyk
- Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Katowice, Poland
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The Body as an Object of Stigmatization in Cultures of Guilt and Shame: A Polish-Vietnamese Comparison. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16162814. [PMID: 31394769 PMCID: PMC6719203 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16162814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to examine cross-cultural differences in body stigmatization between the individualistic Christian culture of guilt (Poland) and the collectivistic Buddhist/Confucian culture of honor and shame (Vietnam). The study included 1290 university students from Poland (n = 586) and Vietnam (n = 704). Subjects filled in the body esteem scale and the perceived stigmatization questionnaire, and body measurements were collected to calculate anthropometric indices. Participants from Vietnam were less satisfied with their appearance than their Polish peers. Men in both countries assessed themselves more favorably. No anthropometric index predicted body esteem in Vietnamese women, while only indices related to fat levels were predictors in Polish women. Men with a V-shaped body assessed themselves as stronger and as having a better physical condition. A possible explanation of the observed cross-cultural differences is that interdependent self-construal makes young adults in collectivistic societies more susceptible to criticism, and the Confucian values of modesty and shame lead to them not perceiving their bodies as sexual objects. The Christian sense of guilt does not influence the perception of sexuality. Absence of friendly behavior mediated the relation between anthropometric indices and body esteem in both cultures.
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The relationship between meaning in life and resilience in older adults: a cross-sectional study. HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY REPORT 2019. [DOI: 10.5114/hpr.2019.85659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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