Perfectionism and Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescents

Overview

Previous studies have shown body dissatisfaction and perfectionism to be elevated in individuals diagnosed with clinically significant eating disorders. However, past research has consistently focused on adult females and thus, other demographics have been under-researched. The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship between body dissatisfaction and perfectionism in both male and female adolescents to identify and diminish eating disorders in their early stages. The best way to assess the relationship was by a survey consisting of three measures: Frost-Multidimensional-Perfectionism-Scale (FMPS), Male Body Dissatisfaction Scale, and the Eating-Disorder-Inventory 2. From the FMPS, two subscales were used as measures for perfectionism: parental criticism and parental expectation. After distributing questionnaires to voluntary participants, ANOVA tests were run to explore the significance between BD and perfectionism. The hypothesis was partially supported; parental criticism (fmpsPC) per the FMPS and adolescent body dissatisfaction had a positive moderate significant correlation (R-squared= 0.194, p = .007), whereas parental expectation (fmpsPE) and body dissatisfaction were not. In past research, high expectations deriving from the individual is an indicator of adaptive perfectionism; this study shows that high fmpsPE acts similarly. fmpsPC is an indicator of body dissatisfaction because it leads to maladaptive perfectionism. However, due to the small sample size, only female BD and fmpsPC had a significant correlation. In future studies, if a larger sample size was obtained, particularly in adolescent males, it may be possible to find other significant relationships. In females, body dissatisfaction has a positive moderate correlation with PC, however there is no significant correlation between body dissatisfaction with PE. In past research, high expectations deriving from the individual are seen as an indicator of adaptive perfectionism; this study shows that high PE acts similarly, whereas PC is an indicator of body dissatisfaction leading to maladaptive perfectionism (Enns, Clock & Cara, 2001). However, the limitations included a small sample size, hence, only a correlation between body dissatisfaction and PC in women could be found. In future studies, if there is a larger sample size, particularly in males, it might be possible to find other significant relationships.

Competition history

• AJAS 2018 Category not listed

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