Cognitive Therapy and Research

, Volume 37, Issue 1, pp 122–126 | Cite as

A Test of the Weight-Based Self-Evaluation Schema in Eating Disorders: Understanding the Link between Self-Esteem, Weight-Based Self-Evaluation, and Body Dissatisfaction

  • Kathryn Trottier
  • Traci McFarlane
  • Marion P. Olmsted
Brief Report
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Abstract

This study examined the relationships among self-esteem, weight-based self-evaluation (WBSE), and body dissatisfaction in eating disorders. According to the cognitive conceptualization of weight-based self-evaluation, global self-esteem is lowered based on negative evaluations of weight/shape through the mechanism of the WBSE schema. A series of linear regression analyses were conducted with self-esteem, WBSE and body dissatisfaction in order to test for mediation. Body dissatisfaction significantly predicted WBSE, and WBSE significantly predicted global self-esteem after controlling for body dissatisfaction. The coefficient associated with the relation between body dissatisfaction and self-esteem was significant. It was significantly reduced but remained significant after controlling for WBSE. These data are compatible with the view that WBSE partially mediates the relationship between body dissatisfaction and self-esteem across eating disorders, and support the cognitive conceptualization of WBSE in eating disorders.

Keywords

Eating disorders Self-esteem Weight-based self-evaluation Body dissatisfaction 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  • Kathryn Trottier
    • 1
    • 2
  • Traci McFarlane
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
  • Marion P. Olmsted
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of Psychiatry, Eating Disorder Day Hospital, Toronto General HospitalUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
  2. 2.Department of PsychiatryUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
  3. 3.Department of PsychologyRyerson UniversityTorontoCanada

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