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Self‐esteem, eating problems, and psychological well‐being in a cohort of schoolgirls aged 15‐16: A questionnaire and interview study
Author(s) -
Button Eric J.,
Loan Philippa,
Davies Jo,
SonugaBarke Edmund J. S.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(199701)21:1<39::aid-eat5>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - psychology , cohort , self esteem , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , medicine
Objective This study aimed to investigate the extent of eating problems and their association with self‐esteem in girls aged 15–16. Method: Six hundred and nine schoolgirls aged 15–16 completed a questionnaire examining eating behavior, self‐esteem, and general psychological well‐being. A subsample of 31 girls was subsequently interviewed in terms of eating behavior and self‐esteem. Results: The questionnaire findings revealed that 56% of girls felt too fat and had used some form of weight control strategy. In addition, 32% scored above the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) threshold for anxiety and 43% reached the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale criterion for low self‐esteem. Interviews confirmed that those showing abnormal eating behavior in the questionnaires did indeed show greater eating pathology as well as lower self‐esteem. Interviews also revealed that those with high levels of eating concern showed greater levels of global self‐dissatisfaction and higher dissatisfaction with their physical appearance and family relationships. Discussion: The results suggest that preventative interventions targeted at girls with low self‐esteem may be appropriate. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.