Body self-image and homosexuality.

Adult males (N = 56) who differed in sexual orientation and preference were administered a self-report inventory that concerned their memory of the adolescent period of life. Six factors were assessed: Body self-concept, body weight problems, sports activities, parental relationships, interpersonal self-concept, and general self-concept. The results showed that homosexual males reported that they were significantly less adjusted during adolescence than heterosexual males.     

The Role of Separation-Individuation Experiences and Personality in Predicting Externalizing and Internalizing Dimensions of Functional Impairment in a Rural Preadolescent and Adolescent Sample

Studied 4th- through 8th-grade students in a rural school district (N = 382, 201 girls; M age = 12.48) who, at the end of the academic year, completed self-report measures assessing functional impairment, self-concept, reactance, and autonomy experiences in relation to parents. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a distinction between 2 aspects of autonomy: mutuality (perceptions of parents as encouraging of autonomy) and conflictual dependence (negative representations of "self-in-relation-to-parent" and related feelings of anger and shame). Path analysis findings mostly were consistent with a mediated model predicting personality from autonomy experiences and functional impairment from personality. However, conflictual dependence rather than negative self-feelings directly predicted girls' emotional difficulties. Comparisons of total effects suggested that conflictual dependence may have stronger and more consistent implications for adolescent psychopathology than mutuality. In general, significant relations between conflictual dependence and psychopathology remained significant even after controlling for a measure of negative affectivity (NA).     

Prospective relations of body image,eating, and affective disturbances to smoking onset in adolescent girls: how Virginia slims

This study tested whether body image, eating, and affective disturbances prospectively predicted onset of cigarette smoking in adolescent girls (N = 496). Elevated body dissatisfaction and eating pathology, as well as elevated negative affectivity, showed significant univariate relations to subsequent onset of smoking. In the multivariate model, the effect for body image and eating disturbances remained significant, but the effect for negative affectivity did not. Results support the theory that body image and eating disturbances markedly increase risk for smoking initiation in adolescent girls and further establish the clinical significance of these disturbances. Results also support the theory that negative affect is a risk factor for smoking initiation but suggest that the self-medication model may have less predictive power than previously concluded.     

Eating problems and the observed quality of mother-daughter interactions among girls with type 1 diabetes.

This study examined how eating problems are linked to autonomy and intimacy in the observed interactions of 88 diabetic girls (M = 14.9 years) and their mothers. On the basis of self-reported symptoms, teens were classified as having no eating problems (n = 40), mild eating problems (n = 30), and frequent eating problems (n = 18). Mothers and daughters participated in 2 videotaped problem-solving tasks (1 diabetes related and I a general parent-teen issue) that were rated with a macroanalytic coding system (Autonomy and Intimacy Rating System). Compared with interactions among mothers and daughters with no eating problems, interactions among mothers and daughters with eating problems simultaneously constrained the expression of autonomy and intimacy. Findings support clinical theory that links eating problems to emotional misattunement in the mother-daughter relationship, which is postulated to interfere with the teen's capacity for individuation.     

The association between childhood feeding problems and maternal eating disorder: a community study

BACKGROUND: A possible association between childhood feeding problems and maternal eating disorder has been suggested by a clinic-based self-report questionnaire study. A community study was conducted, using standardized psychiatric interviews, to investigate the strength and specificity of this putative association. METHODS: Four-year-old children were screened using a self-report version of the Behaviour Screening Questionnaire, completed by mothers, and the Pre-School Behaviour Checklist, completed by teachers. Three groups of children were identified for follow-up: children with feeding problems (N = 42), children with a non-feeding form of disturbance (i.e. shyness, fearfulness or behavioural disturbance; N = 79), and a random sample of children with no disturbance (N = 29). The presence of feeding problems was confirmed by assessment of a filmed family meal, with ratings made blind to child group and maternal mental state. Maternal current and past affective disorder and current and past eating disorder were systematically assessed, blind to child status, using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule and the Eating Disorder Examination respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the mothers of the two comparison groups of children, the mothers of the children with feeding problems had no raised rate of any affective disorder, either current or past, but they did have a markedly raised rate of both current and past DSM-IV eating disorder. The odds ratio of maternal eating disorder for the children with feeding problems was significantly raised at 11.1 (CI 1.4-91.8). CONCLUSION: There is a strong and specific association between childhood feeding problems and maternal eating disorder.     

Relations among multiple peer influences, body dissatisfaction, eating disturbance, and self-esteem: a comparison of average weight, at risk of overweight, and overweight adolescent girls

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate peer-related influences on appearance, body dissatisfaction, eating disturbance, and self-esteem in average weight, at risk of overweight, and overweight adolescent girls. METHODS: Three hundred twenty-five adolescent girls from high schools in Florida were assessed. Ninety met criteria for being at risk of overweight or overweight. Logistic and multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate group differences on all variables and to assess the amount of variance accounted for by peer-influence variables in the prediction of body dissatisfaction, eating disturbance, and self-esteem. RESULTS: Overweight and at risk of overweight girls scored higher than average weight girls on body dissatisfaction, dieting, and a peer measure that assessed negative comments and attributions about appearance. They also scored lower than average weight girls on self-report measures that assessed conversations about appearance and anti-dieting advice. How influential friends were in determining one's body image was a unique predictor of body dissatisfaction but only for the overweight and at risk of overweight group. CONCLUSIONS: Possible implications for clinical intervention programs are discussed along with directions for future research.     

Resilience among African American adolescent mothers: predictors of positive parenting in early infancy

OBJECTIVE: To use Nath et al.'s (1991) conceptual model of adolescent parenting to examine the relationship between resiliency factors measured shortly after delivery and maternal parenting behavior at 6 months. METHOD: We recruited 181 first-time, adolescent African American mothers at delivery. Data on resiliency factors (maturity, self-esteem, and mother-grandmother relationships) were collected when infants were 1-4 weeks of age. Data on parental nurturance and parenting satisfaction were examined through observations and self-report at 6 months. RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the longitudinal impact of resiliency factors on parental nurturance and parenting satisfaction. Maternal maturity, positive self-esteem, and positive adolescent mother-grandmother relationships (characterized by autonomy and mutuality) were associated with better parenting outcomes. Maternal parenting satisfaction was lowest when infants were temperamentally difficult and mothers and grandmothers had a confrontational relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal associations between mother-grandmother relationships at delivery and parental behavior and satisfaction 6 months later may suggest an intergenerational transmission of parenting style. Recommendations are provided for intervention programs to enhance mother-grandmother relationships in contexts where adolescents are required to live with a guardian to receive government assistance.     

Relation of Adolescent Mothers' History of Antisocial Behavior to Child Conduct Problems and Social Competence

We examined the extent to which maternal antisocial behavior (ASB) is directly related to child conduct problems and social competence and assessed the potential mediating role of negative parenting. The sample included 93 adolescent mothers and their children (44 boys, 49 girls). Mothers retrospectively reported about their ASB since the child's birth, through Grade 2. Negative parenting was coded during a parent–child interaction task (PCIT) at Grade 2. Teachers assessed child outcomes at Grade 3. Maternal ASB during the child's life was directly related to parenting and both child outcomes. In the overall sample, negative parenting partially mediated the relation between maternal ASB and child conduct problems. However, the pattern of relations differed by sex. For boys, maternal ASB was directly related to conduct problems, independent of parenting. For girls, maternal ASB was strongly related to parenting but not conduct problems. Negative parenting did not mediate the relation between maternal ASB and child social competence. Implications for intervention and future research are discussed.     

Relation of adolescent mothers' history of antisocial behavior to child conduct problems and social competence.

We examined the extent to which maternal antisocial behavior (ASB) is directly related to child conduct problems and social competence and assessed the potential mediating role of negative parenting. The sample included 93 adolescent mothers and their children (44 boys, 49 girls). Mothers retrospectively reported about their ASB since the child's birth, through Grade 2. Negative parenting was coded during a parent-child interaction task (PCIT) at Grade 2. Teachers assessed child outcomes at Grade 3. Maternal ASB during the child's life was directly related to parenting and both child outcomes. In the overall sample, negative parenting partially mediated the relation between maternal ASB and child conduct problems. However, the pattern of relations differed by sex. For boys, maternal ASB was directly related to conduct problems, independent of parenting. For girls, maternal ASB was strongly related to parenting but not conduct problems. Negative parenting did not mediate the relation between maternal ASB and child social competence. Implications for intervention and future research are discussed.     

A longitudinal study of perceived parental psychological control and psychological well-being in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong

On two occasions separated by one year, Chinese adolescents (N = 2,758) responded to instruments measuring their perceived parental psychological control and psychological well-being, including hopelessness, mastery, life satisfaction, and self-esteem. Pearson correlation analyses revealed that perceived parental psychological control was concurrently related to adolescent psychological well-being at Time 1 and Time 2. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that the relationships between perceived parental psychological control and adolescent psychological well-being over time were bidirectional in nature. Regarding the differential contribution of paternal and maternal psychological control to adolescent psychological well-being over time, paternal psychological control at Time 1 predicted changes in adolescent life satisfaction at Time 2, particularly for adolescent girls. On the other hand, maternal psychological control at Time 1 predicted changes in adolescent self-esteem at Time 2. Relative to those conditions in which one or none of the adolescents' parents was perceived to display high psychological control at Time 1, the psychological well-being of adolescents at Time 2 was poorer under the condition in which both parents were perceived to display high levels of psychological control at Time 1. The clinical implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.     

Perceptions of physical and social environment variables and self-efficacy as correlates of self-reported physical activity among adolescent girls

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study examined the direct and indirect effects of perceived equipment accessibility, neighborhood safety, and social support on self-reported physical activity among older adolescent girls. METHODS: Adolescent girls (n = 1,655) who were in the 12th grade completed a battery of questionnaires that included self-report measures of the perceived physical environment, social support, barriers self-efficacy, and physical activity. RESULTS: Perceived neighborhood safety did not exhibit direct or indirect effects on self-reported physical activity. Perceived equipment accessibility exhibited an indirect effect on self-reported physical activity that was accounted for by barriers self-efficacy. Perceived social support exhibited direct and indirect effects on self-reported physical activity; the indirect effect was accounted for by barriers self-efficacy. The relationships were independent of parental education and body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSIONS: Perceived physical environmental factors indirectly influenced self-reported physical activity, and perceived social environmental factors both directly and indirectly influenced self-reported physical activity in this sample of older adolescent girls.     

Differences in eating style between overweight and normal-weight youngsters

Differences in eating styles between overweight and normal-weight youngsters were investigated with a child version of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). Subjects were children (n = 1458; M: 10.1; SD = 1.3) and adolescents (n = 1016; M: 14.9; SD =1.5). Overweight adolescent girls scored high on emotional eating while overweight adolescent boys displayed more external eating. In overweight children, already 10.5 per cent displayed emotional eating and 38.4 per cent reported external eating. All overweight youngsters reported restrained attitudes. Eating styles were positively associated with indicators of eating pathology. The results suggest the use of appropriate norms that take into account the child's age, gender and overweight status.     

Socioemotional development in adolescents at risk for depression: the role of maternal depression and attachment style

We examined the impact on adolescent socioemotional functioning of maternal postnatal depression (PND) and attachment style. We also investigated the role of earlier aspects of the child's development-attachment in infancy, and 5-year representations of family relationships. Ninety-one mother-child pairs, recruited in the postnatal period, were followed up at 13 years. Adolescents were interviewed about their friendships, and their level of emotional sensitivity and maturity were rated. Emotional sensitivity was heightened in girls whose mothers experienced PND; notably, its occurrence was also linked to insecure attachment in infancy and raised awareness of emotional components of family relationships at 5 years. High emotional sensitivity was also associated with adolescent depressed mood. Raised social maturity was predicted by a secure maternal attachment style and, for girls, by exposure to maternal PND. Precursors of adolescent social maturity were evident in the narrative coherence of 5-year family representations. Higher social maturity in the friendship interview was also associated with overall good adjustment.     

The relationship between parent-reported social support and adherence to medical treatment in families of adolescents with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships between both mother-reported spousal support and social network support, and mother-adolescent diabetes-related conflict, discrepancies in decision-making autonomy (DDMA), and adolescent adherence to diabetes treatment. METHOD: Fifty-one mothers of adolescents with IDDM completed self-report measures of social support, diabetes-related conflict, and adolescent autonomy for diabetes care. Analyses tested conflict and DDMA as mediators between mother-reported social support and adolescent adherence to treatment. RESULTS: Increased levels of mother-adolescent conflict were associated with poorer treatment adherence and both mother-reported diabetes-related conflict and DDMA predicted adolescents' glycemic control. Higher levels of mother-reported spousal support were associated with less conflict and greater adherence to treatment. Sobel's test indicated a statistical trend for conflict as a mediator between spousal support and adolescent treatment adherence (p < .07). DDMA did not predict mother-adolescent conflict and did not emerge as a mediator between mother-reported social support and adolescent adherence. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the role of spousal support for mothers of adolescents with IDDM and indicates that the level of spousal support mothers receive may play an important role in the health care behaviors of their adolescents.     

Characteristics of self‐regulation in adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes with and without eating disorders: A cross‐sectional study

Objectives. Pathology of the regulative mechanisms of self seems to be connected with eating disorders (EDs). The present study aimed to explore the hypothesis that there are differences in self‐regulation in adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes with and without EDs. Design. A cross‐sectional design was employed comparing patterns of self‐regulation in adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes with and without EDs in two eating status groups. Methods. For the presence of EDs, 76 adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes were assessed. Of these, 23 were diagnosed with an ED. In addition, dimensions of self‐regulation as conceptualized in terms of Kohuts' psychodynamic theory of self were assessed. Results. Adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes and an ED were higher in three aspects of self‐regulation – negative body self, object depreciation, and narcissistic gain from illness – in comparison with their peers without EDs. Conclusions. This study is the first to show evidence of deficits in self‐regulation in adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes and EDs. The importance of evaluating parameters of self‐regulation for treatment planning for these youths is outlined.     

Posttraumatic growth in adolescent survivors of cancer and their mothers and fathers

OBJECTIVE: To describe posttraumatic growth (PTG) following childhood cancer survival and its association with demographic and disease/treatment variables, perceived treatment severity and life threat, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). METHOD: Adolescent survivors of cancer (N = 150, ages 11-19), at least 1 year after treatment, and their mothers (N = 146) and fathers (N = 107) completed self-report measures of perceived treatment intensity and PTSS and a semistructured interview designed to identify posttraumatic responses and indicators of PTG including perceived positive changes for self, relationships, and life goals. RESULTS: A majority of adolescents and their mothers and fathers reported PTG. Greater perceived treatment severity and life threat, but not objective disease severity, was associated with PTG. PTG and PTSS were positively associated for the adolescent cancer survivors. Diagnosis after age 5 resulted in more perceived benefit and greater PTSS for adolescent survivors. CONCLUSION: Clarification of the concept and measurement of PTG after childhood cancer is warranted, as are prospective studies of the association of PTG and PTSS and the role of demographic variables and illness-specific appraisals.     

Self-concept, self-esteem and body weight in adolescent females: a three-year longitudinal study

Eighty girls aged 12.8 (0.6) years, completed self-concept, depression and anxiety scales over three years and had their height and weight measured. All nine self-concept domains were lower in the Highest BMI group, compared to the Lower BMI group and this trend was stable over three years. Highest BMI girls were substantially lower than population norms on all nine scales. Over three years, the Physical Appearance and Close Friendship scores of Highest BMI girls decreased compared to Lower BMI girls. This pattern was similar for all of the other self-concept domains. Several aspects of early adolescent girls' self-image may be adversely influenced by a heavy weight status.     

Bulimia and impulsive behaviour in middle adolescence

BACKGROUND: In clinical samples, bulimia seems to be associated with various dyscontrol behaviours suggesting weakness in impulse control. Population studies of adolescents, however, are needed. We evaluated the association between self-reported bulimic behaviour and a number of dyscontrol behaviours, namely bullying, truancy, excessive drinking and sexual disinhibition among adolescents aged 14-16. This is the first study on bulimia and impulsivity in a large non-selected adolescent population sample. METHODS: A self-report questionnaire was administered to a representative population sample of 14- to 16-year-old adolescents (pupils of the 8th and the 9th grades of secondary school in four different regions in Finland). 4,453 girls and 4,334 boys aged 14-16 participated. The participation rate was 85.5%. RESULTS: Bulimic behaviour was associated with bullying, truancy, excessive drinking and sexual disinhibition among both sexes. Odds ratios for bulimic-type eating pathology according to each of these behaviours varied between 1.7 and 4.1. The more dyscontrol behaviours occurred simultaneously, the more likely was bulimic-type eating pathology. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between bulimic behaviour and dyscontrol behaviours in the general population of adolescent girls and boys.     

Adolescents' eating, exercise, and weight control behaviors: does peer crowd affiliation play a role?

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between peer crowd affiliation (e.g., Jocks, Populars, Burnouts, Brains) and adolescents' eating, exercise, and weight control behaviors. The roles of gender and ethnicity were also examined. METHOD: Ethnically diverse adolescents (N = 705; 66% girls) completed the Peer Crowd Questionnaire, eating and exercise items from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, and weight control behaviors from the Eating Attitudes Test-12. RESULTS: Controlling for gender and ethnicity, adolescents affiliating with the Burnouts reported more unhealthful eating and more bulimic behaviors than others; adolescents affiliating with the Brains reported more healthful eating, less unhealthful eating, and more dieting; those affiliating with Jocks and Populars reported engaging in more exercise; and Populars also reported more unhealthful eating. In addition, boys exercised more than girls; girls reported more dieting and bulimic behaviors. Black adolescents reported more unhealthful eating and less dieting than other adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Along with gender and ethnicity, peer crowd affiliation is related to adolescents' eating, exercise, and weight control behaviors. Prevention programs should consider adolescent peer crowds in developing health promotion and obesity prevention programs.     

Genetic and Environmental Factors in Breakfast Eating Patterns

Despite many studies on the prevalence of breakfast eating, we know little about factors that determine breakfast eating patterns. Our aim was to find out to which extent breakfast eating frequency is influenced by genetic and environmental factors using twin and twin-family models in a population sample of 16-year-old twins (n = 5250) and their parents (n = 4663). In common effects sex-limitation models, additive genetic effects explained 41% (95% CI: 21-63%) of the variance in breakfast eating in girls and 66% (95% CI: 47-79%) in boys, and common environmental effects 45% (95% CI: 23-62%) in girls and 14% (95% CI: 5-29%) in boys. Of twin-family models, phenotypic assortment models fitted the data best. Heritability estimates increased somewhat (72%, 95% CI: 46-98% in girls and 63%, 95% CI: 38-89%) in boys. Common family environment remained substantial in both sexes. Cultural transmission was nonsignificant. The relative influence of genetic and family factors on adolescent breakfast eating frequency differs by sex and is generation-specific.