Do Body Image Investment and Evaluation Relate to Bulimic Symptoms in U.S. Collegiate Men and Women in the Same Way?

Although research suggests that body image investment (i.e., drive for muscularity, orientation toward appearance, preoccupation with weight or weight gain) and body image evaluation factors (e.g., negative evaluations of appearance, overestimation of current weight) correlate with bulimic symptoms, the magnitude of these relationships may differ between men and women. The relationship between bulimic symptoms and the drive for muscularity, one form of body image investment theorized to be particularly relevant to men, is understudied in college students. This study examined bulimic symptoms, body image investment, and body image evaluation in American undergraduate students (84 men, 198 women). Bulimic symptoms were negatively associated with appearance evaluation and positively associated with appearance orientation, weight preoccupation, and weight overestimation in both men and women. Bulimic symptoms were positively associated with the drive for muscularity in men, but not in women. Awareness of the relationships between bulimic symptoms and body image investment and evaluation may help identify those at risk for bulimic symptoms

Does Self Esteem Moderate the Relation Between Gender and Weight Preoccupation in Undergraduates?

Previous research has established gender differences in self esteem as well as weight preoccupation. In addition self esteem is known to relate to weight preoccupation. However, no studies have examined whether self esteem moderates the relation between gender and weight preoccupation. Five hundred sixty seven undergraduates completed surveys assessing self esteem and weight preoccupation. Results showed significant gender differences in self esteem and weight preoccupation. In addition, the interaction between self esteem and gender had a small but significant effect on weight preoccupation. Counselors should be aware of this when designing programs to treat weight preoccupation in conjunction with low self esteem, especially for women

Mending Broken Fences

Tears streamed freely down my face as I watched waves crash on the beach. My husband put his arms around me. For what it\u27s worth, he said, I\u27m sorry this is happening to us. So was I. We\u27d been through so much in our twenty-one years together: the loss of both of our fathers and two dogs, six surgeries for my endometriosis, four failed rounds of fertility treatments, the loss of his job thirteen years prior that had placed all our financial burdens squarely on my shoulders. Despite—or maybe because of—all of these things, I knew my marriage was over

Concurrent Herb-Prescription Medication Use and Health Care Provider Disclosure Among University Students

Objectives. To determine the extent to which college students are intermixing mood-altering herbs with prescription medications and whether they are disclosing this information to their health care providers. Design and Setting. A nonrandom sample was drawn from the student body of a Northwestern state university (n=305). Methods. In November 2008 participants completed an online survey detailing herb use, disclosure to health care providers and herb/medicinal intermixing. Results. There were no demographic differences between herb users and non-users. Most herb usage was self-prescribed (60%) and undisclosed to healthcare providers (only 25% of herb users disclosed to a healthcare provider). 34% of herb users used them to treat a mood disorder. Of herb users, thirteen percent had simultaneously used herbs and prescription medication in the last year. In addition, herb users who intermixed herbs with prescription medications had higher depression and anxiety scores than those who did not intermix. Conclusions. College student herb use is primarily self prescribed and undisclosed to healthcare professionals, who may prescribe pharmaceuticals that interact negatively with herbals. Physician awareness and query is invaluable for the prevention of adverse herb and drug interactions

Relationships Between Social Self-Esteem, Media Influence and Drive for Thinness

Although media exposure is known to relate to drive for thinness and social self-esteem in women, less is known about how media affects drive for thinness and social self-esteem in men. The present study examined the relationships between drive for thinness, social self-esteem, and media influence among men and women. Two hundred ninety-four college students completed the Texas Social Behavior Inventory, the Sociocultural Attitudes towards Appearance Scale-3, a self-constructed questionnaire measuring the influence of media models, and the Drive for Thinness scale of the EDI-3. We expected to find an association between drive for thinness and media influence and between drive for thinness and social competence in both men and women. In addition, we expected that the use of media, social pressures and media internalization would relate to drive for thinness in both men and women. As expected, we found a relationship between media influence and drive for thinness, as well as a relationship between social competence and drive for thinness in both men and women. After controlling for the influence of social self-esteem, the influence of media models on body image related to drive for thinness in both men and women. In addition, societal pressures related to drive for thinness in women, but not men. Implications for college counselors will be discussed

Analysis of Gender Differences in Self-Statements and Mood Disorders

Over 25% of adult Americans suffer from a mental disorder each year, with depression and anxiety being some of the most commonly reported issues. Researchers estimate that between 10% and 50% of adult Americans will suffer from a depressive episode at some point in their life, and cognitive theorists argue that mental states, including disorders, are generated and maintained by personal, subjective beliefs, and that events can only be appropriately labeled by the individual experiencing them. Thus, cognitive theorists suggest a strong link between self-talk (ST) and behavior and note that the automatic use of ST is associated with disordered thinking. Researchers further suggest ST may differ between those suffering from anxiety and those suffering from depression. However, studies have yet to examine whether ST in men suffering from depression or anxiety differs from that of women. This study sought to address this gap in the literature; gender differences in the use of anxious ST and a mediation of gender differences by ST were identified

Peer Influence: Use of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Prescription Medications

Objective: Risk-taking behavior (e.g., alcohol abuse, tobacco usage, misuse of prescription medications) among college students is a widespread problem. Our study focused not only on the frequency of risky health behaviors in college students, but also the companions with whom they engaged in such behaviors. Methods: Three hundred and twelve college students completed a survey examining the frequency with which they engaged in alcohol, tobacco, and improper prescription medication use, as well as with whom they were most likely to engage in these behaviors. Results: Results indicated that participants were most likely to take health risks when accompanied by someone they consider a friend. Results also indicated gender differences in risk taking behaviors, as well as an interaction effect between companion and gender. Conclusions: This information would be useful when developing preventive interventions for college students. Implementing interventions which are specific to certain populations might generate greater success in reducing risk-taking behavior

Is Self-Esteem the Primary Predictor of Disordered Eating?

This study examined whether self-esteem is the primary predictor of disordered eating. A survey measured levels of self-esteem and a variety of other health behaviors in 196 male and 263 female undergraduate students. We conducted stepwise regressions to determine which of several variables (self-esteem, high stress, poor coping skills, maladaptive perfectionism, gender) best predicted disordered eating. The results indicated that self-esteem was the secondary predictor for bulimia, drive for thinness, and body dissatisfaction. Future research should further investigate how self-esteem interacts with other predictor variables to better determine the relationship between self-esteem and disordered eating

Predicting Academic Success in Undergraduates

College academic success and retention have traditionally been predicted using demographic and academic variables. This study investigated the influence of student health on GPA and intent to drop out of college. A longitudinal survey of 242 freshmen revealed that emotional and social factors (e.g., stress, living in the dorm, being in a study group) predicted second semester GPA and intentions to drop out (e.g., perfectionism, fatigue). Implications for intervention strategies are discussed

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues Among Native Americans Living on a Remote Reservation: Results from a Community Survey

The purpose of the study was to document the perceived and actual mental health and substance abuse issues of residents living on a remote reservation in the Northwestern United States. Surveys were completed by 138 Native Americans, who reported on mental health status and problems, perceptions of personal and community health issues on the reservation, and patterns of substance use and abuse (e.g., how often respondents use alcohol, what drugs present the most serious problems on the reservation). The respondents perceived their own mental health to be quite good. However, they reported that several mental health problems were prevalent in their community including alcohol/drug abuse, mood disorders, and spousal abuse/domestic violence. In addition, although respondents themselves reported little substance abuse, the most serious perceived problems in both their families and the community were related to substance abuse. Respondents not only recognized the problems caused by substance abuse on the reservation; they also had valuable suggestions for how to reduce this problem, including recreational/after school programs, education about substance abuse, cultural activities, and appropriate treatment services, including traditional or faith-based healing methods