Research Participation - Appearance Conversations

Psychology

Appearance Conversations of Adolescent Girls: Their Role within the Cognitive-Behaviour Theory of the Development of Eating Disorders

Name of researcher(s):

Sarah Shuter, under the supervision of Dr Debra Dunstan.

Project aims:

The Cognitive-behavioural theory of eating disorders outlines the processes that operate in the development and maintenance of these disorders. However, some researchers have suggested that the theory needs to be extended to incorporate additional mechanisms that contribute to the development and maintenance of eating disorders.

The purpose of this study is to extend the current cognitive-behavioural theory of eating disorders by assessing whether appearance conversations and co-rumination regarding appearance concerns, body image, or weight, moderates or mediates the relationship between self-worth and strict dieting and weight control strategies in females. Significant findings will enable the identification of where intervention and prevention strategies should be targeted.

Research methodology:

Participants are required to be females aged 13 years and older. The researcher will post an information sheet, consent form, and questionnaire package to interested participants. Those participants who are interested in participating in the study are then are then asked to complete the consent form and questionnaire package and post it back to the researcher in the provided self-addressed, stamped envelopes. Two envelopes will be provided, one for the consent and one for the questionnaires. This will protect the participant's confidentiality as their names will not be able to be matched to individual responses. Participants aged 20 years and above are asked to think back to when they were an adolescent and complete the questionnaires as they would have then. Participants are also asked to record their weight and height on the questionnaire package.