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Positive youth development and adolescent eating disorder symptomatology: The role of natural mentors
Author(s) -
Stephens Lauren E.,
Bowers Edmond P.,
Lerner Jacqueline V.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.21952
Subject(s) - psychology , perspective (graphical) , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , positive youth development , natural (archaeology) , disordered eating , association (psychology) , adolescent development , eating disorders , psychotherapist , archaeology , artificial intelligence , computer science , history
Natural mentoring relationships have been linked to diverse outcomes in youth; however, little research has examined the role of natural mentors in adolescent eating disorder symptomatology. The present study applied a strength‐based, positive youth development (PYD) perspective to examine the cross‐sectional relations among disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, PYD, and natural mentoring relationships. We used data from 975 9 th ‐grade youth (61.1% female; mean age = 15.01, standard deviation = 0.73) who participated in the 4‐H Study of PYD. Natural mentoring relationships had a differential association with outcomes based on youth sex. Natural mentors were linked to higher levels of PYD in both males and females, but these relationships were more strongly linked to eating disorder symptomatology and PYD in males. Having a natural mentor predicted significantly lower body dissatisfaction in males, but not in females. Natural mentoring relationships did buffer the relation between drive for thinness symptoms and PYD in females. The present study provides evidence for the benefits natural mentors may provide to youth reporting disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. The findings suggest taking an ecological approach to eating disorder symptomatology and ways youth–adult partnerships can be leveraged or nurtured to promote positive and healthy development.