Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence 2/2006

01-04-2006 | Original Article

Romantic Relationships and Body Satisfaction Among Young Women

Auteurs: Charlotte N. Markey, Patrick M. Markey

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence | Uitgave 2/2006

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

In the present study we examined associations between young women's romantic relationships and their body image. Ninety-five heterosexual couples (women's mean age=22.46 and men's mean age=24.38) participated in this study. We examined young women's satisfaction with their own bodies, their perceptions of their significant others’ satisfaction with their bodies, and their significant others’ actual satisfaction with their bodies using the Contour Drawing Rating Scale women's weight status was assessed using body mass index (BMI). Relationship constructs examined included relationship quality and the length of couples’ romantic relationships. Results indicated that females were more dissatisfied with their bodies than they perceived their significant others to be and were more dissatisfied than their significant others actually were. Analyses further indicated that the longer women had been in a relationship with their significant other, the more likely they were to incorrectly believe that their significant other wanted them to look thinner.
Literatuur
go back to reference Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. Am. Psychol. 55(5): 469–480.CrossRefPubMed Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. Am. Psychol. 55(5): 469–480.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Aronson, S. R., and Huston, A. C. (2004). The mother-infant relationship in single, cohabitating, and married families: A case for marriage? J. Fam. Psychol. 18(1): 5–18.CrossRef Aronson, S. R., and Huston, A. C. (2004). The mother-infant relationship in single, cohabitating, and married families: A case for marriage? J. Fam. Psychol. 18(1): 5–18.CrossRef
go back to reference Bergstrom, R. L., Neighbors, C., and Lewis, M. A. (2004). Do men find “bony” women attractive?: Consequences of misperceiving opposite sex perceptions of attractive body image. Body Image 1(2): 183–191.CrossRefPubMed Bergstrom, R. L., Neighbors, C., and Lewis, M. A. (2004). Do men find “bony” women attractive?: Consequences of misperceiving opposite sex perceptions of attractive body image. Body Image 1(2): 183–191.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Bjorntorp, P. (1988). The associations between obesity, adipose tissue distribution and disease. Acta Medica Scand. (Supp.) 723: 121–134. Bjorntorp, P. (1988). The associations between obesity, adipose tissue distribution and disease. Acta Medica Scand. (Supp.) 723: 121–134.
go back to reference Bjorntorp, P. (1991). Adipose tissue distribution and function. Int. J. Obesity 15: 67–81. Bjorntorp, P. (1991). Adipose tissue distribution and function. Int. J. Obesity 15: 67–81.
go back to reference Braiker, H. B., and Kelley, H. H. (1979). Conflict in the development of close relationships. In Burgess, R., and Houston, T. (eds.), Social Exchange in Developing Relationships. Academic Press, New York, pp. 135–168. Braiker, H. B., and Kelley, H. H. (1979). Conflict in the development of close relationships. In Burgess, R., and Houston, T. (eds.), Social Exchange in Developing Relationships. Academic Press, New York, pp. 135–168.
go back to reference Brownell, K. D. (1991). Dieting and the search for the perfect body: Where physiology and culture collide. Behav. Ther. 22: 1–12.CrossRef Brownell, K. D. (1991). Dieting and the search for the perfect body: Where physiology and culture collide. Behav. Ther. 22: 1–12.CrossRef
go back to reference Buss, D. M. (1989). Sex differences in human mate preferences: Evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures. Behav. Brain Sci. 12(1): 1–49.CrossRef Buss, D. M. (1989). Sex differences in human mate preferences: Evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures. Behav. Brain Sci. 12(1): 1–49.CrossRef
go back to reference Buunk, B. P., Dijkstra, P., Fetchenhauer, D., and Kenrick, D. T. (2002). Age and gender differences in mate selection criteria for various involvement levels. Personal Relationships 93(3): 271–278.CrossRef Buunk, B. P., Dijkstra, P., Fetchenhauer, D., and Kenrick, D. T. (2002). Age and gender differences in mate selection criteria for various involvement levels. Personal Relationships 93(3): 271–278.CrossRef
go back to reference Cash, T. F. (2003). Body image: Past, present, future. Body Image 1: 1–5.CrossRef Cash, T. F. (2003). Body image: Past, present, future. Body Image 1: 1–5.CrossRef
go back to reference Cash, T. F., and Henry, P. E. (1995). Women's body images: The results of a national survey in the USA. Sex Roles 22: 19–28.CrossRef Cash, T. F., and Henry, P. E. (1995). Women's body images: The results of a national survey in the USA. Sex Roles 22: 19–28.CrossRef
go back to reference Collins, M. E. (1991). Body figure perceptions and preferences among preadolescent children. Int. J. Eat. Disord. 10: 199–208.CrossRef Collins, M. E. (1991). Body figure perceptions and preferences among preadolescent children. Int. J. Eat. Disord. 10: 199–208.CrossRef
go back to reference Davison, K. K., Markey, C. N., and Birch, L. L. (2000). Etiology of body dissatisfaction and weight concerns among 5-year-old girls. Appetite 35: 143–151.PubMedCrossRef Davison, K. K., Markey, C. N., and Birch, L. L. (2000). Etiology of body dissatisfaction and weight concerns among 5-year-old girls. Appetite 35: 143–151.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Field, A. E., Cheung, L., Wolf, A. M., Herzog, D. B., Gortmaker, S. L., and Colditz, G. A. (1999). Exposure to the mass media and weight concerns among girls. Pediatrics 103(3): E36.CrossRefPubMed Field, A. E., Cheung, L., Wolf, A. M., Herzog, D. B., Gortmaker, S. L., and Colditz, G. A. (1999). Exposure to the mass media and weight concerns among girls. Pediatrics 103(3): E36.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Fredrickson, B. L., and Roberts, T. (1997). Objectification Theory: Toward understanding women's lived experiences and mental health risks. Psychol. Women Q. 21: 173–206.CrossRef Fredrickson, B. L., and Roberts, T. (1997). Objectification Theory: Toward understanding women's lived experiences and mental health risks. Psychol. Women Q. 21: 173–206.CrossRef
go back to reference Friedman, M. A., Dixon, A. E., Brownell, K. D., Whisman, M. A., and Wilfley, D. E. (1999). Marital status, marital satisfaction, and body image dissatisfaction. Int. J. Eating Disord. 26: 81–85.CrossRef Friedman, M. A., Dixon, A. E., Brownell, K. D., Whisman, M. A., and Wilfley, D. E. (1999). Marital status, marital satisfaction, and body image dissatisfaction. Int. J. Eating Disord. 26: 81–85.CrossRef
go back to reference Grogan, S., and Richards, H. (2002). Body image: Focus groups with boys and men. Men and Masculinities 4: 219–232.CrossRef Grogan, S., and Richards, H. (2002). Body image: Focus groups with boys and men. Men and Masculinities 4: 219–232.CrossRef
go back to reference Grote, N. K., Clark, M. S., and Moore, A. (2004). Perceptions of injustice in family work: The role of psychological distress. J. Fam. Psychol. 18(3): 480–492.CrossRefPubMed Grote, N. K., Clark, M. S., and Moore, A. (2004). Perceptions of injustice in family work: The role of psychological distress. J. Fam. Psychol. 18(3): 480–492.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Grover, V. P., Keel, P. K., and Mitchell, J. P. (2003). Gender differences in implicit weight identity. Int. J. Eating Disord. 34: 125–135.CrossRef Grover, V. P., Keel, P. K., and Mitchell, J. P. (2003). Gender differences in implicit weight identity. Int. J. Eating Disord. 34: 125–135.CrossRef
go back to reference Harter, S. (1999). The Construction of the Self: A Developmental Perspective. Guilford, New York. Harter, S. (1999). The Construction of the Self: A Developmental Perspective. Guilford, New York.
go back to reference Levine, M. P., and Smolak, L. (1996). Media as a context for the development of disordered eating. In Smolak, L., Levine, M. P., and Striegel-Moore, R. (eds.), The Developmental Psychopathology of Eating Disorders. Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 183–204. Levine, M. P., and Smolak, L. (1996). Media as a context for the development of disordered eating. In Smolak, L., Levine, M. P., and Striegel-Moore, R. (eds.), The Developmental Psychopathology of Eating Disorders. Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 183–204.
go back to reference Lohman, T. G., Roche, A. F., and Martorell, M. (1988). Anthropometric Standardization Reference Manual. Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL. Lohman, T. G., Roche, A. F., and Martorell, M. (1988). Anthropometric Standardization Reference Manual. Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL.
go back to reference Markey, C. N. (2004). Culture and the Development of Eating Disorders: A Tripartite Model. Eating Disord.: J. Treat. Prev. 12: 139–156. Markey, C. N. (2004). Culture and the Development of Eating Disorders: A Tripartite Model. Eating Disord.: J. Treat. Prev. 12: 139–156.
go back to reference Markey, C. N., Markey, P. M., and Birch, L. L. (2001). Interpersonal predictors of dieting practices among married couples. J. Fam. Psychol. 15: 464–475.CrossRefPubMed Markey, C. N., Markey, P. M., and Birch, L. L. (2001). Interpersonal predictors of dieting practices among married couples. J. Fam. Psychol. 15: 464–475.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Markey, C. N., Markey, P. M., and Birch, L. L. (2004). Understanding women's body satisfaction: The role of husbands. Sex Roles 51: 209–216.CrossRefPubMed Markey, C. N., Markey, P. M., and Birch, L. L. (2004). Understanding women's body satisfaction: The role of husbands. Sex Roles 51: 209–216.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Markey, C. N., Tinsley, B. J., Ericksen, A. J., Ozer, D. J., and Markey, P. M. (2002). Preadolescents’ perceptions of females’ body size and shape: Evolutionary and social learning perspectives. J. Youth Adolesc. 31: 137–146.CrossRef Markey, C. N., Tinsley, B. J., Ericksen, A. J., Ozer, D. J., and Markey, P. M. (2002). Preadolescents’ perceptions of females’ body size and shape: Evolutionary and social learning perspectives. J. Youth Adolesc. 31: 137–146.CrossRef
go back to reference Murray, S. H., Touyz, S. W., and Beumont, P. J. V. (1995). The influence of personal relationships on women's eating behavior and body satisfaction. Eating Disord. 3: 243–252.CrossRef Murray, S. H., Touyz, S. W., and Beumont, P. J. V. (1995). The influence of personal relationships on women's eating behavior and body satisfaction. Eating Disord. 3: 243–252.CrossRef
go back to reference Rodin, J. (1992). Body Traps. Morrow, New York. Rodin, J. (1992). Body Traps. Morrow, New York.
go back to reference Rozin, P., and Fallon, A. (1988). Body image, attitudes toward weight, and misperceptions of figure preferences of the opposite sex: A comparison of men and women in two generations. J. Abnorm. Psychol. 97: 342–345.CrossRefPubMed Rozin, P., and Fallon, A. (1988). Body image, attitudes toward weight, and misperceptions of figure preferences of the opposite sex: A comparison of men and women in two generations. J. Abnorm. Psychol. 97: 342–345.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Singh, D. (1993). Adaptive significance of female physical attractiveness: Role of waist-to hip ratio. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 65(2): 293–307.CrossRefPubMed Singh, D. (1993). Adaptive significance of female physical attractiveness: Role of waist-to hip ratio. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 65(2): 293–307.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Singh, D., and Young, R. K. (1995). Body weight, waist-to-hip ratio, breasts, and hips: Role in judgments of female attractiveness and desirability for relationships. Ethol. Sociobiol. 16: 483–507.CrossRef Singh, D., and Young, R. K. (1995). Body weight, waist-to-hip ratio, breasts, and hips: Role in judgments of female attractiveness and desirability for relationships. Ethol. Sociobiol. 16: 483–507.CrossRef
go back to reference Smith, J. E., Waldorf, V. A., and Trembath, D. L. (1990). “Single White male looking for thin, very attractive…”. Sex Roles 23: 675–685.CrossRef Smith, J. E., Waldorf, V. A., and Trembath, D. L. (1990). “Single White male looking for thin, very attractive…”. Sex Roles 23: 675–685.CrossRef
go back to reference Smolak, L. (2003). Body image in children and adolescents: Where do we go from here? Body Image 1: 15–28.CrossRef Smolak, L. (2003). Body image in children and adolescents: Where do we go from here? Body Image 1: 15–28.CrossRef
go back to reference Smolak, L., and Levine, M. P. (2001). Body image in children. In Thompson, J. K., and Smolak, L. (eds.), Body Image, Eating Disorders, and Obesity in Youth: Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment. American Psychological Association, Washington DC, pp. 41–66.CrossRef Smolak, L., and Levine, M. P. (2001). Body image in children. In Thompson, J. K., and Smolak, L. (eds.), Body Image, Eating Disorders, and Obesity in Youth: Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment. American Psychological Association, Washington DC, pp. 41–66.CrossRef
go back to reference Specher, S., and Hendrick, S. S. (2004). Self-disclosure in intimate relationships: Assocations with individual and relationship characteristics over time. J. Soc. Clin. Psychol. 23(6): 857–877.CrossRef Specher, S., and Hendrick, S. S. (2004). Self-disclosure in intimate relationships: Assocations with individual and relationship characteristics over time. J. Soc. Clin. Psychol. 23(6): 857–877.CrossRef
go back to reference Stice, E., Spangler, D., and Agras, W. S. (2001). Exposure to media-portrayed thin-ideal images adversely affects vulnerable girls: A longitudinal experiment. J. Soc. Clin. Psychol. 13: 288–303. Stice, E., Spangler, D., and Agras, W. S. (2001). Exposure to media-portrayed thin-ideal images adversely affects vulnerable girls: A longitudinal experiment. J. Soc. Clin. Psychol. 13: 288–303.
go back to reference Thompson, M. A., and Gray, J. J. (1995). Development and validation of a new body image assessment scale. J. Pers. Assess. 64: 258–269.CrossRefPubMed Thompson, M. A., and Gray, J. J. (1995). Development and validation of a new body image assessment scale. J. Pers. Assess. 64: 258–269.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Volling, B. L., McElwain, N. L., and Miller, A. L. (2002). Emotion regulation in context: The jealousy complex between young siblings and its relations with child and family characteristics. Child Dev. 73(2): 581–600.CrossRefPubMed Volling, B. L., McElwain, N. L., and Miller, A. L. (2002). Emotion regulation in context: The jealousy complex between young siblings and its relations with child and family characteristics. Child Dev. 73(2): 581–600.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Wadden, T. A., and Stunkard, A. J. (1985). Social and psychological consequences of obesity. Ann. Intern. Med. 103: 1062–1067.PubMed Wadden, T. A., and Stunkard, A. J. (1985). Social and psychological consequences of obesity. Ann. Intern. Med. 103: 1062–1067.PubMed
go back to reference Weller, J. E., and Dziegielewski, S. F. (2004). The relationship between romantic partner support styles and body image disturbance. J. Hum. Behav. Soc. Environ. 10(2): 71–92.CrossRef Weller, J. E., and Dziegielewski, S. F. (2004). The relationship between romantic partner support styles and body image disturbance. J. Hum. Behav. Soc. Environ. 10(2): 71–92.CrossRef
Metagegevens
Titel
Romantic Relationships and Body Satisfaction Among Young Women
Auteurs
Charlotte N. Markey
Patrick M. Markey
Publicatiedatum
01-04-2006
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Youth and Adolescence / Uitgave 2/2006
Print ISSN: 0047-2891
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-6601
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-005-9013-6

Andere artikelen Uitgave 2/2006

Journal of Youth and Adolescence 2/2006 Naar de uitgave