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Peer victimization and weight/shape concerns in adolescents: Examining the moderating role of appearance-based rejection sensitivity
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Peer victimization and weight/shape concerns in adolescents: Examining the moderating role of appearance-based rejection sensitivity

Nora Trompeter, Kay Bussey, Miriam K. Forbes, Scott Griffiths, Jonathan Mond, Alexandra Lonergan and Deborah Mitchison
Body image, Vol.40, pp.207-212
01/03/2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.12.004
PMID: 34999539

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Abstract

adolescence peer victimization rejection sensitivity weight teasing weight/shape concerns
Peer victimization has been related to weight/shape concerns in adolescents. However, a dearth of research has examined potential moderators of this association. The present study examined the concurrent and prospective associations between two types of peer victimization, appearance-based and non-appearance-based, and weight/shape concerns among adolescents, and whether these associations were moderated by appearance-based rejection sensitivity. Participants were 897 adolescents, aged 11-19 years (M = 14 years 8 months, SD = 1 year 4 months), who completed a range of self-report measures as part of the EveryBODY study, one year apart. Both forms of victimization were associated with concurrent, but not prospective weight/shape concerns. Additionally, the concurrent association between appearance-related victimization and weight/shape concerns was dependent on appearance-based rejection-sensitivity, with stronger associations at lower levels of appearance-based rejection-sensitivity. These findings support previous research linking peer victimization with concurrent weight/shape concerns in adolescents. However, the impact of peer victimization on increased weight/shape concerns was not observed. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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