Body image, social comparison, and eating disturbance: A covariance structure modeling investigation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of appearance-based social comparison processes as a possible mediational link between developmental factors (negative social feedback, i.e., teasing about appearance; biological status, i.e., early physical maturation) and levels of body dissatisfaction, eating disturbance, and global psychological functioning. METHOD: In this study of 173 female undergraduates, covariance structure modeling (CSM) was used to examine direct and mediational relationships among these variables. RESULTS: Appearance-based social comparison mediated the effect of appearance-related teasing on body image and eating disturbance; body image mediated the effect of teasing on eating disturbance; eating disturbance had a direct effect on overall psychological functioning. DISCUSSION: Implications for devising and testing other theoretical models are discussed.