Body Image as a Predictor of Social Acceptance Laurie Grad, Maria Stevens, & Sarah K. Sifers

Minnesota State University, Mankato

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 the start 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.

Abstract

Methods

Introduction

Results Discussion

References

Social Acceptance & Body Image

Variable Social Acceptance T2

Change in Body Image M SD

Social Acceptance T1

.66** -.138* 3.11 .65

Social Acceptance T2

.017 3.22 .62

Change in Body Image

.21 1.18