Gender Composition of Peer Group Characteristics on Adolescent Body Image and Weight Adjustment Aspirations

• In Event: 21081 - Section on Sociology of Body and Embodiment Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 2: Weight

Abstract

Prior research suggests peers are a source that influence norm conformity, producing ill-effects on adolescent body image (Kenny et al. 2017; Jones 2001) and weight control behaviors (Fletcher et al. 2011; McCabe & Ricciardelli 2005). However, these results only consider the mere existence of peers, and do not evaluate how more detailed social characteristics of peers and peer groups are influential in shaping adolescent’s body image and desire to actively adjust their body weight. Body weight expectations are also divided by gender, where thinness is equated with feminine beauty and muscularity with masculinity. Given this evident division by gender paired with presumed peer group influence on body image and weight adjustment outcomes, this paper employs OLS and logistic regressions to answer two research questions using nationally representative data from the Health and Behavior of School Aged Children (HBSC) from 2009-2010. 1) Are same- or mixed-gender sources of emotional support associated with body image satisfaction and/or weight adjustment aspirations among adolescent girls and boys? 2) Is gender homophily or diversity of peer group members associated with body image satisfaction and/or weight adjustment aspirations among adolescent girls and boys? Results reveal peer emotional support functions as a protective factor for body image satisfaction and weight adjustment aspirations among both adolescent girls and boys, with minimal differences between mixed-gender and same-gender sources. However, gender homophily of peer group members is more favorable for body image satisfaction, where having more female peers was associated with higher body image satisfaction among adolescent girls while having only male peers is associated with higher body image satisfaction among adolescent boys. Findings not only highlight the significance of the social context on body image development and weight control behaviors, but that the characteristics of existing agents within the social environment are also important for these outcomes.

Author

• Arianna Salas, Pennsylvania State University