Keywords
body image, eating disorders, marriage, relationships, spousal influence
Abstract
Eating disorder literature often overlooks those exhibiting eating and body image concerns without an eating disorder diagnosis. Supportive spouses may ameliorate negative body image and eating behavior, but spouses who exhibit both supportive and non-supportive behaviors concurrently (ambivalent) may send mixed messages. Eating disorder behaviors and spousal interactions were assessed in 61 women who demonstrated eating disordered behavior and body dissatisfaction but were not clinically diagnosed with an eating disorder. Spouses mostly provided messages of reassurance. However, some women were unable to overcome their internalized negative body image. Feelings of social comparison were seen with ambivalent spouses. Supportive relationships may be protective, but actual interventions may be needed to change negative body image.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Birmingham, Wendy C.; Cavallini, Adriane Ito de Queiroz; and Sgro, Jordan, "Spousal influence: A study of women with eating and body image concerns" (2019). Faculty Publications. 6046.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/6046
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2019
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8775
Publisher
The Authors
Language
English
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Psychology