Is friendship network weight status associated with one's own psychological well-being? It depends on one's own weight status
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Abstract
Drawing on multiple theoretical perspectives (e.g., social comparison theory, reward theory, evolutionary theory), the present research examined the relations of self and friendship network weight status to body satisfaction, self-esteem, and depression. A diverse, population-based sample of adolescents completed measures of well-being and were measured for height and weight. Boys had greater self-esteem if their male friendship networks' weight status mismatched, versus matched, their own weight status (d =.23). Conversely, boys had greater body satisfaction if their female friendship networks' weight status matched, versus mismatched, their own weight status (d =.18). For girls, the relations of male and female friendship networks' weight status with well-being did not vary by one's own weight status. Evolutionary theory appears to best explain the observed patter of results, and clinicians may want to consider friends' weight status when dealing with adolescents' body satisfaction issues.
Publication Title
Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
Volume
35
Issue
5
First Page
401
Last Page
424
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1521/jscp.2016.35.5.401
ISSN
07367236
Citation Information
Fuglestad, Wall, M. M., Shim, J. J., Eisenberg, M. E., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2016). Is Friendship Network Weight Status Associated with One’s Own Psychological Well-being? It Depends on One’s Own Weight Status. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 35(5), 401–424. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2016.35.5.401