act

1. Body Image as a Predictor of Social Acceptance Laurie Grad, Maria Stevens, & Sarah K. Sifers Minnesota State University, Mankato Abstract Results Discussion act This study looked at adolescents that participated in a program to foster physical and emotional well-being. The results showed that a change in body image predicted a statistically insignificant improvement in social acceptance after controlling for social acceptance at thestart of the program. Therefore, the improvement in social acceptance during Girls on the Run is due to changing social acceptance itself rather than changing body image. Body image and social acceptance are pertinent issues during adolescence. Previous literature has shown that perceived physical competence and body image were both predictors of perceived peer acceptance in adolescents (Lyu & Gill, 2012). Other studies have illustrated that friendship variables contributed significantly to body image concern and body dissatisfaction (Gerner & Wilson, 2005). Since these variables have shown to influence each other it is valuable to further research their relationship. A total of 342 girls from third to eighth grade in a small Midwestern metropolitan area participated in a program to foster physical and emotional wellbeing while preparing for a 5k event. Participants were given a pre-survey, which included the Children’s Body Image Scale (CBIS; Truby & Paxton, 2002) and Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC; Harter, 1985) . After they completed the Girls On The Run program they completed these assessments a second time. Paired samples t-tests were conducted to evaluate whether self-perception of social acceptance and body image changed over the course of the program. Results indicated that the mean social acceptance score on the pre-test (M = 3.13, SD = .64) was lower than on the post-test (M = 3.23, SD = .62), t(235) = -2.85, p = .005. Results indicated that the mean body image score on the pre-test indicated worse body image than on the post-test, t(293) = 3.11, p = .002. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to evaluate predictors of this change. The model showed that approximately 43% of the variance was accounted for by change in body image and social acceptance at Time 1 (F(2, 231) = 88.46, p <.001). Social acceptance at Time 1 predicted social acceptance at Time 2 (b = .66, p < .001). However, the change in body image, while controlling for acceptance at Time 1, was not significant in predicting social acceptance at Time 2 (b = .067, p= .18). Although both perception of social acceptance and body image improved, the change in body image did not predict self-acceptance at the end of the program. Thus, the focus of the program on both social acceptance and body image should be maintained because emphasizing body image alone will not be likely to improve girls’ perceptions of their social acceptance to a significant degree. For example, continuing activities focused on both team building (social acceptance) and body image. Gerner, B., Wilson, P.H. (2005). The relationship between friendship factors and adolescent girls’ body image concern, body dissatisfaction, and restrained eating. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 37, 313-320. Harter, S. (1985). Manual for the Self-Perception Profile for Children. Denver, CO: University of Denver. Lyu, M., Gill, D. (2012). Perceived physical competence and body image as predictors of perceived peer acceptance in adolescents. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 15, 37-48. Truby, H. & Paxton, S. J. (2002). Development of the Children’s Body Image Scale. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 41, 185-203. Introduction References Social Acceptance & Body Image Methods