Author: Mubeena Munir
Supervisor: Saima Dawood PhD
Degree: MS
Year: 2015-2017
University: Centre for Clinical Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
The present study investigated the relationship between Weight
Teasing, Body Esteem, Emotion Dysregulation and Disordered
Eating Behaviors in Overweight Adolescents. It was hypothesized
that there is likely to be a relationship between weight teasing
(verbal and physical), body esteem, emotion dysregulation and
disordered eating behavior. Further, it was also hypothesized that
weight teasing is likely to predict disordered eating behavior in
overweight adolescents. It was also hypothesized that body
esteem is likely to mediate the relationship between weight
teasing and disordered eating behaviors. Lastly, it was
hypothesized that emotion dysregulation is likely to moderate the
relationship between body esteem and disordered eating
behaviors. Through cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling technique, a sample of (N=200) overweight adolescents was recruited. The Weight-Related Abuse Questionnaire [WRAQ;
(Salwen & Hymowitz, 2015)], Body-Esteem Scale for
Adolescents and Adults [BESAA; (Mendelson, Mendelson &
White, 2001)], Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale [DERS;
(Gratz & Roemer, 2004)] and Disordered Eating Behavior Scale
[DEBS; (Muazzam & Khalid, 2011)] were used to assess study
variables respectively. Results showed that weight teasing was
positively correlated to emotional dysregulation and disordered
eating behaviors and negatively correlated to body esteem. Body
esteem was negatively correlated to emotional dysregulation and
disordered eating behaviors. Further, emotional dysregulation was
positively correlated to disordered eating behaviors. Body esteem
was significantly mediating the relationship between weight
teasing and disordered eating behaviors. Emotional dysregulation
was negatively moderating the relationship between body esteem
and disordered eating behaviors i.e., eating withdrawal, eating
habits, social pressure and overeating. Lastly, moderated
mediation analysis showed that weight teasing was indirectly
predicting disordered eating behaviors through body esteem
however emotional dysregulation was intensifying this negative
relationship between body esteem and predicting disordered
eating behaviors. The findings of this study showed a significant
role of emotions in the development and maintenance of
disordered eating behaviors.
Keywords: Weight Teasing, Body Esteem, Emotional Dysregulation, Disordered Eating Behaviors, Overweight Adolescents.
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