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.
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Notes
Sobel’s (1982) test was used to determine the significance of mediation.
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Trottier, K., McFarlane, T. & Olmsted, M.P. 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. Cogn Ther Res 37, 122–126 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-012-9446-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-012-9446-7