The effect of body dissatisfaction on eating disorder symptomatology : mediating effects of depression and low self-esteem : a partial test of the Dual-Pathway Model

Abstract

Aim. The present study is based on the dual-pathway model (Stice, 2001), specifically testing the negative affect pathway of this model. This study examined whether depression and low self-esteem separately mediate the relationship between body dissatisfaction and general eating disorder symptomatology, focusing primarily on restraint eating and bulimic symptoms.

Method. A sample of 113 junior high-school boys and girls completed measures of body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, depression, general eating disorder symptoms, including those of restraint eating and bulimic symptoms.

Results. Mediating effects of depression and self-esteem were found in predicting general eating disorder symptoms, including restraint eating. It was found that depression mediates the relationship between body dissatisfaction and bulimic symptoms, whereas self-esteem did not significantly mediate this relationship.

Discussion. Findings indicate that the mediating effect of depression has a greater influence in predicting eating disorder symptoms than the mediating effect of self-esteem. The effects of mediation by depression and self-esteem have a greater influence on the prediction of eating disorder symptoms among boys than among girls. Findings support selected parts of the dual-pathway model and have implications for treatment and prevention programs in this field.