Attachment, body image dissatisfaction, body change strategies, and self-esteem in a university sample

Abstract

The inter-relationship between adult attachment style, body image dissatisfaction, body change strategies and self-esteem was examined for a university sample of 110 students (80 females, 30 males). Participants completed the Body Image and Body Change Inventory, the Relationship Questionnaire and the Relationship Styles Questionnaire as measures of adult attachment, and the Rosenberg Self-esteem scale. Preoccupied attachment style was associated with higher body image dissatisfaction and females with this attachment style were more likely to use body change strategies to decrease their weight. Preoccupied attachment was negatively associated with self-esteem. Those with low self-esteem had greater body image dissatisfaction. Mediation analysis indicated that self-esteem partially mediated the influence of preoccupied attachment on body image dissatisfaction for females. Interestingly, those with a dismissing attachment style were less likely to use strategies to decrease their weight, and similar to fearful attachment style were more likely to use strategies to increase their weight. Findings are discussed in terms of the importance of adult attachment for body image. Clinical implications and future research are suggested.