CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

For the past few decades, society has been preoccupied with how they look.

Millions of people are constantly living with a dreadful feeling about how they look; thus,

they are not satisfied with their body image which then leads to low self-esteem. Research

on body image and body dissatisfaction has grown significantly, with hundred of studies

being conducted each year.

During adolescence, an important developmental period where body and social

changes occur, young people undergo through puberty and they are increasingly

vulnerable to body image disturbances, in which body weight is commonly involved, and

shape dissatisfaction. Adolescence is a critical developmental period, bringing numerous

physical changes, social challenges, and role transitions that increase vulnerability to

body dissatisfaction (Bearman, Presnell, & Madley, 2007). Other body image concerns

among girls and boys include physical attributes such as facial characteristics,

muscularity, fitness, and skin appearance. A person may have body dissatisfaction when

there is a discourse between preferences for a body trait or characteristic that is different

from how the body is currently perceived (Quick, 2015).

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, individuals with negative

body image perceptions convince themselves that only other individuals are attractive

and that their body shape and size is a sign of personal failure. People with a negative

body image have a greater likelihood of developing an eating disorder and are more likely

to suffer from feelings of depression, isolation, low self-esteem, and obsessions with

weight loss (National Eating Disorders Association [NEDA], 2004).

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 Body dissatisfaction is a major concern amongst both genders, mostly common

amongst females. It is also a strong predictor of depressed mood and low self-esteem

among adolescents (Paxton, Neumark-Sztainer, Hannan, & Eisenberg, 2006). The

negative impact of body dissatisfaction on a range of psychological problems underscores

the need to explore factors that contribute to its development. The prevalence of body

dissatisfaction continues to be high in both girls (24% to 46%) and boys (12% to 26%)

and is a growing worldwide public health problem (Quick, 2015). Women are more likely

than men to engage in upward social comparisons, perceiving other same-sex persons

as being more attractive, having better physical qualities than theirs. However, a growing

(even if not similar) body dissatisfaction was observed during the last two decades among

the men. Some of them want to be thinner (to get rid of the abdominal fat in particular),

while others wish for an increased muscle mass, using the protein supplements, steroids

and bodybuilding. These two sources of discontent represent important risk factor for

developing anorexia nervosa or muscle dysmorphia (Neagu, 2015).

Age differences can be related to body image as well, as it includes a broad range

of ages. In one study examining self-discrepancies and body image among a group of

women aged 30–80 years, the discrepancy between women’s actual age and their ideal

age was correlated with the magnitude of the discrepancy between their actual and ideal

body, but there were no data reported on actual age and its relation to self-discrepancies.

Another study, however, did find that current members of a sorority (aged 18–22 years)

had greater actual-ideal discrepancies than did former members of the same sorority

(aged 32–45 years) (Vartanian, 2012).

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 Although societal norms regarding ideal body shape and weight are transmitted in

a variety of ways, messages from one’s immediate subculture may be particularly salient

in communicating these values (Bearman, Presnell, & Madley, 2007). These may be

transferred through parental modeling of eating and direct comments about weight and

encouragement of weight loss. Relatedly, criticism and teasing about appearance have

been associated with greater body dissatisfaction, although this may differ by gender.

Boys tend to receive more messages from family and friends regarding increasing

muscles and these messages decrease over time, whereas girls receive more messages

regarding weight loss, and these messages increase over time (McCabe &Ricciardelli,

2005).

Recent research also suggests that reducing body dissatisfaction may be

successful in preventing the onset of depression and eating pathology (Bearman, Stice,

& Chase, 2003). Understanding the mechanisms that link these factors to body

dissatisfaction can help guide the development of effective prevention interventions

(Bearman, Presnell, & Madley, 2007). Given the implications that body-related self-

discrepancies have for individuals’ psychological well-being, it is important to consider

how intervention and prevention efforts might help reduce the presence and impact of

those discrepancies (Vartanian, 2012).

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to explore and collect experiences of students with highly

body dissatisfaction in their adolescence stage here at Malayan Colleges Mindanao to

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gain insights about their emotional and cognitive behaviors that prevent them from the

impact of these discrepancies and aid to provide prevention and intervention programs.

The researchers conducted this study to determine the issues of each individual who

do experience emotional way of behaving towards their living in a discontented manner

about their body. A description of the adolescents’ mental and physical health is needed

to come up with a presentation of general understanding as to why they tend to think and

act things that is inappropriate and the reasons why they keep on pushing it to their limits.

To for bye this idea, if every aspect of the study fails, this includes the monitoring and

evaluating students leading them to different circumstances and situations, we would like

to assess the study and continually understand the rationale behind the changes and not

to be able to sight manifestation of vulnerability among them. Thus, with this action

students will not bear dramatic activity that may usher them to worry or panic about their

health.

To distinguish sources of information is also a clue in generating consciousness.

Without the information of the issue, we are going to generalize all the questionable

matters and doubts of people in the society that are apparently anxious by this case. Also,

without consciousness - students that are still confuse, we will keep on interrogating to

unravel things. In the stage of adolescence, students will most likely execute bad habits

since the society is being too critical because they still do not understand. Some people

do not seem to be affected but there are these judgements surrounding them.

To generate consciousness, this study will need to have the profile of each participant:

this includes their lifestyle habits, their position in the situation, their experiences, their

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backgrounds, their choice making and their capacity to make a right decision before doing

things that are unnecessary.

To have a bigger scope on getting data, we will conduct a data gathering with two

phases. First, we will be doing the face-to-face interview assessment with every student.

Second, we will also have the group discussion where the opinions of each student are

being shared and examined to gain more knowledge about personal and specific aspect

of their life.

This study is conducted to assist the participants in the way of making their life upside

down. To help the students make an interpretation of them being manifested with the

choice they have make at the first place. Moreover, it will help turn the society’s immature

behavior into a realization in such a way that all the doubts and questions will finally be

answer.

Research Questions

This study is executed to prevent individuals that feel agonized from high body

dissatisfaction in developing eating disorder, according to their perception, experiences

and behaviors. This study will focus specifically on answering the following questions:

 Is there any significant difference on proneness of an individual to develop body

dissatisfaction that influence them to thrive in engrossing to undesirable dietary

consumptions when grouped according to sex and age?

 What thoughts, emotions, experiences and circumstances motivated the

participants?

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  How did these thoughts, emotions, experiences and circumstances motivate their

decision to develop unhealthy eating habits?

 What is the experience of the individuals, in adolescence, that are at high risk for

developing an eating disorder based on body dissatisfaction but do not have

elevated eating disordered attitudes? What do these individuals believe that keeps

them healthy?

Theoretical Framework

Several factors are thought to contribute to body dissatisfaction, including a

combination of individual psychological characteristics, social influences, and

interpersonal interactions. With this, it has led to the development of various theories in

order to enhance our understanding of the topic. This study utilizes the Self-Discrepancy

Theory by Edward Tory Higgins and the Sociocultural Theory of Lev Vygotsky.

The Self-Discrepancy Theory was introduced by Edward Tory Higgins explaining

the relationship between aspects of the self and affect (Encyclopedia of Social Sciences,

2008). Higgins postulate that individuals possess different types of self-guides, or

standards, against which they compare to their current self. Individuals experience

positive affect, in the case of proximity to self-guides. However, in the case of

discrepancy, individuals experience a negative affect. The motivational properties of

these selves are related to the specific emotions that are associated with the discrepancy

between one’s self and either the ideal or ought self (Pychyl, 2008). Individuals may

compare themselves to an “ideal self-guide”, which represents their desires or hopes, or

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they may compare themselves to an “ought self-guide”, which represents their obligations

or responsibilities. Comparisons made to self-guides result in affect along a relief-

agitation spectrum: Proximity to ought self-guides yield affect such as contentment, while

discrepancy from ought self-guides yields affect such as guilt and nervousness. In 1992,

Timothy Strauman applied self-discrepancy theory to psychological disorders of emotion.

He found that individuals reporting symptoms of depression had larger discrepancies from

their ideal selves, while individuals reporting symptoms of anxiety had larger

discrepancies from their ought selves (Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, 2008).

The relevance of this theory to body dissatisfaction, or body image, is based on

the fact that there are cultural norms that adapt to particular standards of attractiveness.

In many cultures, the standards advocate include a thin body for women, and a buff and

lean body for men. However, these standards are unrealistic for the majority of the

population to achieve without going to extreme measures (such a self-starvation,

cosmetic surgery, or drugs). Thus, comparing one’s actual self with the ideal self,

promoted by society, it is more likely that the individual will fall short of the set-up

standard, resulting in a body-related self-discrepancy. Furthermore, given that, the

population is getting heavier, the discrepancy between society’s standards and what is

reality for the majority is becoming larger as well (Vartanian, 2012). These body-related

self-discrepancies can have emotional, psychological, and behavioral consequences for

the individual.

Second, this study will also make use of the Sociocultural Theory by Lev Vygotsky

who believed that family, peers, cultural beliefs and attitudes have a tremendous impact

on the development of one’s identity and self-concept. The dynamic interaction between

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the individual and society cultivates one’s body image (Vygotsky, 1979). This theory looks

at the important contributions that society makes to individual development. Sociocultural

Theory describes learning as a social progress and the origination of human intelligence

in society or culture. The sociocultural model states that societal ideals of beauty are

transmitted via a variety of sociocultural channels such as media, family, and peers that

would eventually lead to disordered eating through the internalization of cultural ideals

and body dissatisfaction (Quick, 2015). These societal ideals are then internalized by

individuals so that satisfaction or dissatisfaction with appearance is a function to which

extent where individuals do or do not reach these standards. Social Comparison theory

also plays an integral part in the sociocultural model as this postulates that individuals

compare themselves with others “to determine their status on certain appearance

dimensions”. With that, it may lead to body image dissatisfaction.

This theory is useful in this study as we may be able to further understand the

concept of some factors of body dissatisfaction and help aid in the development of poor

body image.

Importance of the Study

This study seeks to trace the origins of and the reasons which motivate individuals

with high body dissatisfaction to develop undesirable eating habits, as it has become a

heavily-substantial concept over the years for most of the individual. With the results of

this study, the following stakeholders will benefit:

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 The Teenagers. This is a study that aspires to halt individuals in prospering

unhealthy lifestyle. If not prevention, the results of this study will also be able to assists

teens in terms of giving the idea that there is a way to process their thoughts and emotions

and to lay out multiple options, instead of engaging in unhealthy dietary consumptions.

The Community. Their benefit will come in the form of awareness. Their inquiries

will finally be laid to rest as they will now be able to process better the circumstances

surrounding whether there are dissimilarities between men and women in adolescence

The Parents. Understanding why students specifically in adolescence engage in

developing unhealthy eating habits that leads them to become develop eating disorders.

Additionally, it can provide two things: a chance to develop a appropriate way of being fit.

The parents will have a better idea as to how to deal with the issue of body dissatisfaction

on their children and will assists them on much effective parental instruction on how to

grow their children to be in the right health and manner to cope up with peer pressure in

adolescence.

The School. They may use the results as reference to help discern and avert the

development of eating disorder of their students, and to ensure that their students will

have a healthy lifestyle by gaining insights and understanding on how their students

emotional and behavioral state in adolescence affects their lifestyle. Furthermore, giving

balance in recognition to the student’s psychological health and physical health will

enable them to furnish their teaching strategies due to the student’s health condition.

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 Limitations of the Study

As no study is quintessential, this study is also bound by the limitations that it

possesses. These factors were the limiting aspects of this study, and were quite

influential in the outcome of this study:

The quantity of respondents and scope. With the study only limited of respondents

from Malayan Colleges Mindanao on where this study will mainly focus, the issue if

impartiality and reliability may come to pass. The quality of collected data will be unfair in

the matter. Is not enough to gain fair results as it diminishes only to a certain community

in the same culture of individuals. It may be deemed that the behavior and experiences

of the student in Malayan Colleges Mindanao may not suffice the attempt to gain insights

emotional and cognitive behaviors.

The timeframe. In collecting and exploring the experiences and behavior of the

respondents prove to take up plenty of time and with the time allocated for the researchers

to accumulate and curate these desired data posed a great barrier in terms of narrating

the experiences in way that is much equitable and convincing.

The accuracy of the responses. While we will be acquiring data direct from the

respondents, we cannot be able to fully affirm for the reliability of these data as our

familiarity with the respondents do not go that deep and will be based on their

psychological thinking in the time we administered the interview and survey. We can only

document what we will be given, and we can only assume that they are in fact, truthful

and on point.

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 Definition of Terms

Body Dissatisfaction. This term is defined as a negative subjective evaluation of

the weight and shape of one’s own body. It predicts the onset, severity and treatment

outcomes of eating disorders.

Body Image. This refers to the subjective picture or mental image of one’s own

body or simply, how you see yourself.

Sociocultural. This term is a set of beliefs, customs, practices, and behavior that

exists within a population. It is signifying the combination or interaction of social and

cultural elements.

Discrepancy. This refers to the quality or state of disagreeing. It is an illogical or

surprising lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts.

Organization of the Study

This section tackles each of the chapters’ key elements and their meaning. This

study is made up of five chapters, specifically: the introduction, review of related literature,

methodology and discussion.

The first chapter is made up of the background of the study, purpose, research

questions, theoretical framework, importance of the study, limitations, definition of terms

and the organization of the study. The background of the study will provide a good

impression of what our research is, i.e., the problem specified, which will be given

meaning by the purpose of the study. This is then supported by pre-existing theories,

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given in the theoretical framework. This chapter also features the participants of this

study, mentioned in the importance of the study. This is followed by the limitations of the

study, then by the definition of terms. The first chapter ends with the organization of the

study which provides an analysis on all the chapters of this study.

The second chapter showcases the review of related literature, which provides the

auxiliary data acquired from various external sources. These data will give our study more

depth, which will prove useful to the analysis of data collected at the end of the study.

The third chapter features the methodology used by the proponents in conducting this

study. This chapter also contains the research design, description of the research

participants and the sampling method. This chapter also includes the original data source

and the procedure of data collection. Lastly, the credibility of the study and its four

components are explained along with the ethical considerations the proponents carried

out in this study.

The fourth chapter contains the presentation of the collected data. The proponents

gathered the data according to the identified vital themes. To provide more depth and

justification to the analysis, it will be supplemented by the supporting literatures and the

discussion of the data. The theoretical approach will also be included to either prove or

disprove the aptness of the applied theory in the study.

The fifth and final chapter contains the research discussion, which includes

conclusions garnered from the collected data and the analysis the proponents put into

effect. The implications of the results for practice in the appropriate field of expertise will

also be presented.

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 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter showcases the discussion of the literature found in the different

relevant fields which will provide the groundwork for the explanation and analysis of the

data in the succeeding chapters. These literatures are used to supplement information

and warrant the expansion and deepening of the concepts which are interwoven in this

study. The discussion of the related literature is divided into three general themes: the

definition and nature of body dissatisfaction, causes of body dissatisfaction and adverse

effects of body dissatisfaction.

Definition and Nature of Body Dissatisfaction

According to Dr. Maggie Shiffrar (a researcher on human behavior), body

dissatisfaction is defined as a negative subjective evaluation of the weight and shape of

one’s body. Body dissatisfaction predicts the onset, severity, and treatment outcomes of

eating disorders. In a separate article of National Eating Disorders Collaboration, body

dissatisfaction is the top ranked issue of concern for young people. Body image issues

have increased worldwide over the last 30 years and do not only concern young people

but affect people of all ages. People experiencing body dissatisfaction can become fixated

on trying to change their body shape, which can lead to unhealthy practices with food and

exercise. These practices don’t usually achieve the desired outcome (physically or

emotionally) and can result in intense feelings of disappointment, shame and guilt and,

ultimately, increase the risk of developing an eating disorder.

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 However, to truly understand body dissatisfaction, it is vital that its nature be dug

into. To most people in adolescence, body dissatisfaction is just a normal thing. But, to

many experts across different fields, body dissatisfaction is so much more that it might

affect one’s self without any notice.

A core component of body dissatisfaction is appearance-based social

comparisons. That is, an observer becomes dissatisfied with her body when she

unfavorably compares her own body with other people’s bodies. Rebecca Glauert and

Gill Rhodes recently reported that all women are biased to spontaneously direct their

attention to the bodies of thin women (Glauert et al., 2010). In preliminary follow up

studies, they found that this tendency also depends on the level of the observer’s body

dissatisfaction. At least for women with high levels of body dissatisfaction, the more

dissatisfied a woman is with her own body, the more she attends to the bodies of thin

women. This attentional bias is not restricted to women as we’ve also found that the more

dissatisfied a man is with his body, the more he attends to the bodies of thin men. Women

don’t appear to show this bias when they look at the bodies of men and men don’t seem

to show it when they look at women (Joseph et al., 2011).

Furthermore, an article published by NCBI (2015), it is stated that adolescence

represents a pivotal stage in the development of positive or negative body image.

Basically, this influenced exist during the teen years or the puberty years which absolutely

affect one’s figure and shape of body, weight status and appearance. Weight status exists

along a spectrum between being obese (e.g. where one’s body weight is in the 95th

percentile for age and gender) to being underweight (Greenleaf, C.). With this, most

adolescents develop shape beliefs about perceiving ideal body. Having a distorted body

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image is a risk factor for the development of disordered eating behaviors and eating

disorders. Many people do have concerns about their body as they undergo rapid physical

growth. Internalization of and pressures to conform to these socially prescribed body

ideals help to explain associations between weight status and body image (Voelker, D.,

Reel, J., and Greenleaf, C.). The thoughts of fat talks and weight related bullying during

adolescence greatly contribute to an overemphasis on body weight and appearance as

well as the development of negative body perceptions and dissatisfaction surrounding

specific body parts (Voelker, D.).

Causes of Body Dissatisfaction

In the book “Body Image (Understanding Body Dissatisfaction in Men, Women and

Children)”, the author stated that body dissatisfaction relates to negative evaluations of

body size, shape, muscularity/ muscle tone and weight, and it usually involves a

perceived discrepancy between a person’s evaluation of his or her body and his or her

ideal body. “When a person has negative thoughts and feelings about his or her own

body, body dissatisfaction can develop” says the National Eating Disorders Collaboration.

“Body dissatisfaction is an internal process but can be influenced by several external

factors. For example, family, friends, acquaintances, teachers and the media all have an

impact on how a person sees and feels about themselves and their appearance.

Individuals in appearance-oriented environments or those who receive negative feedback

about their appearance are at an increased risk of body dissatisfaction.” (Grogan, 2016)

“One of the most common external contributors to body dissatisfaction is the

media, and more recently social media. People of all ages are bombarded with images

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through TV, magazines, internet and advertising. These images often promote unrealistic,

unobtainable and highly stylized appearance ideals which have been fabricated by

stylists, art teams and digital manipulation and cannot be achieved in real life. Those who

feel they don’t measure up in comparison to these images, can experience intense body

dissatisfaction which is damaging to their psychological and physical well-being.”

To begin the discussion of these causes, a negative body image is when we see

and think about ourselves in a negative way and we feel uncomfortable and unsatisfied

with our physical appearance. Maintaining a healthy body image has a strong impact on

our wellbeing. The first step to improving negative body image is figuring out why it’s

negative in the first place (ReachOut, 2015), while the concept of understanding what

causes negative body image so that we may be able to promote a healthy body image,

mentally and physically. Homan and Tylka (2014) pointed out that positive body image is

not just the lack of body dissatisfaction, but also attitudes and behaviors that show a

healthy acceptance and appreciation of the body, including body appreciation, an internal

body orientation, and functional body satisfaction. Body appreciation is “unconditional

respect and approval of the body.”

On the other side of the coin, an article publishes in Eating Disorder Hope (Ekern,

2015) stating that there are 3 major causes of developing a body dissatisfaction in our

modern society. As with many behaviors and interests, the people and the things that are

most present in their lives are affected. In children, the influential beings are careers and

social factors and peers have greater influence with increasing age. The images depicted

by the media, including TV, movies, magazines and online stuff, also have a greater

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influence on age. On the other hand, some research has demonstrated that a negative

body image is becoming increasingly prevalent in younger children.

Furthermore, most people see at least one part or aspect of their physical

appearance that they don’t like. Constant exposure to idealized media images of flawless

human perfection can keep us aware of our own physical shortcomings (Well, 2018).

These issues run from being slightly annoyed by a tiny flaw to developing an obsession

with the body part that intrudes on an individual.

The Media and Weight-teasing. In the pre-adolescent years between 9 and 14, the

media played a stronger role, but studies have also shown that parental emphasis on a

desire for thinness also influences. 69 percent of women between the 5th and 12th grades

reported that images in magazines affected their perception of the ideal body image and

47 percent reported wanting to lose weight because these images.

In adolescence, "weight teasing" also leads to a lower self-esteem and a negative

body image. Both boys and girls between 12 and 18 years of age still have a role to play

in the desire for a body image that they specifically want to have. Both genders have

different perceptions of what they want to achieve such as for boys is the desire to look

more muscular or toned and for girls to achieve a low body weight and a slim figure.

The Influence Goes Beyond Fashion Magazines. Regardless of the content, one

intends to seek through media use, advertisements and images play a subtle but very

important role in influencing social norms and ideal body image concepts. Even

magazines that support seemingly more holistic pursuits such as yoga or natural life often

use unnaturally thin or "perfect "models. While the magazines seem to have different

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effects, both come with risk: body dissatisfaction can lead to depression while drive for

thinness can lead to eating disorders (Swiatkwoski, 2016).

Millions of people are bombarded with the media’s idea of the “perfect body”.

These unrealistic images are portrayed all over the country. The internalization of the thin

ideal from a variety of media, including magazines, could be an important individual

difference variable moderating the relationship between magazine consumption

psychological health variables such as body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness

(Swiatkwoski, 2016).

Self- weighing. Self-weighing is believed to be effective because it allows people

to monitor their progress, detect changes in their weight, and apply corrective action if

needed (Chambers & Swanson, 2012). However, self-weighing may be a ‘double-edged

sword’ as evidence suggests that it can be associated with psychological distress. It may

also trigger a negative feedback loop, and even routine physician visits are not necessary

for most people. Self-weighing may result in worse psychological outcomes, especially

those who are sensitive or concerned about their bodies. Frequent weighing can lead to

unhealthy diets, unhealthy weight control behaviors, contribute to lower self-esteem and

increase body dissatisfaction.

Adverse effects of Body Consciousness

To begin with, negative body image includes body dissatisfaction and low body

esteem, is associated with a number of psychological issues such as depression, low

self-esteem, eating disorders, social anxiety, attempts to alter appearance through drastic

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means such as steroid use and cosmetic surgery, and correlates with a variety of health

issues such as decreased chance of cancer self-screening, lowered health related quality

of life, pro-smoking behaviors, and decreased sexual functions (Campbell & Hausenblas,

2009; Curtis & Loomans, 2014; El Ansari, Dibba, & Stock, 2014; Fiske, Fallon, Blissmer,

& Redding, 2014). Recently, body dissatisfaction has also been related to increased

inflammation, showing physiological implications for psychological distress (Černelič-

Bizjak & Jenko-Pražnikar, 2014).

Unhealthy teenage body image is directly related to low self-esteem, which can

lead to moods and mood swings. Young people who feel down are more likely to focus

on the negative messages surrounding them and make negative comparisons between

their body and their ‘ideal body’ or their and someone else’s body.

According to an article published on ELSEVIER (2015), it is stated that if the effect

of body dissatisfaction on disordered eating can be explained by self-esteem and

depression, treatment may benefit from focusing more on self-esteem and depression

than body dissatisfaction. We also hypothesized body image importance to be associated

with lower self-esteem, stronger symptoms of depression, and more disordered eating.

The results showed that the effect of body dissatisfaction on disorder eating was

completely mediated, whereas the effect of body image importance was partly mediated.

Both self-esteem and depression were significant mediators. Body image

importance and self-esteem had a direct effect on restrained eating and compensatory

behavior. Depression had a direct effect on binge eating. This effect was significantly

stronger among women. Depression also had a direct effect on restrained eating. This

effect was positive among women, but negative among men. The results support emotion

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regulation and cognitive behavioral theories of eating disorders, indicating that self-

esteem and depression are the most proximal factors, whereas the effect of body

dissatisfaction is indirect. The results point out the importance of distinguishing between

different symptoms of bulimia. Depression may cause binge eating, but compensatory

behavior depends on self-esteem and body image importance.

In addition to that, an article that is published on VERYWELLMIND (2018), it is

stated that eating disorder are complex mental illness caused by genetics as well as

environmental factors – negative body Image is just one potential contributor. However,

negative body image is prominent in eating disorders because many people with eating

disorders place a high value on their body shape and weight when determining their own

self-worth. This “over evaluation of shape and weight” is a symptom of some, but not all,

eating disorders. One’s self-evaluation being disproportionately influenced by body shape

and weight is consistent with a diagnosis of either anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

A diagnosis of anorexia nervosa is additionally consistent with a disturbance in the way

one’s body weight or shape is experienced or an inability to recognize the seriousness of

the current low body weight.

Furthermore, NCBI (2012) published article, states that body dissatisfaction has

emerged as a predictor of a broad range of disordered eating and weight-related

outcomes, including frequent dieting (e.g., Ackard, Croll, & Kearney-Cooke, 2002;

Neumark-Sztainer, Paxton, Hannan, Haines, & Story, 2006), bulimic symptoms and

dietary restraint (e.g., Cooley, & Toray, 2001; Neumark-Sztainer et al., 2006), and weight

gain (van den Berg & Neumark-Sztainer, 2007). In addition, body dissatisfaction has been

identified as a risk factor in the development of related psychopathology, including

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symptoms of depression (e.g., Paxton, Neumark-Sztainer, Hannan, & Eisenberg, 2006),

and as a mediator of the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and psychological

health outcomes, including self-esteem (e.g., Mond et al., 2011; Wertheim, Koerner, &

Paxton, 2001) and depressive mood (Mond et al., 2011). Given its negative health

outcomes, it is important to know whether body dissatisfaction tends to dissipate over

time, as adolescents transition into young adulthood, or whether body dissatisfaction in

fact remains high. Longitudinal examinations are needed to more comprehensively track

the course of adolescents’ body dissatisfaction over time.

Related Studies

This study bears similarity with another research paper conducted by various other

proponents. The study will serve as a basis for this study for its results and the focal

points. The research is “Body Image: A Concern for Students of All Ages” by the

Timberline Knolls Treatment Center (2011), “Weight Status and Body Image Perception

in Adolescents: Current Perspectives” by Dana Voelker, Justine Reel, and Christy

Greenleaf (2015), and “Body Image in Men and Women: Gender Roles, Competitiveness,

and Appearance-Related Emotions” by Dolan George Kew (2015).

In the study conducted by the Timberline Knolls Treatment Center (2011), they

stated the struggles of students with being dissatisfied with their bodies. Many students

find themselves working as hard to “fit in” as they do to improve their grades. These

pressures can take a toll on someone already susceptible to emotional and behavioral

conditions, such as depression or anxiety and eating disorders. These affects their

emotional and behavioral conditions, causing depression or eating disorder. As stated,

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their solution to these unmanageable pressures is to “control” their bodies and eating

patterns. As such, growing concerns of schools around are eating disorders like anorexia

nervosa and bulimia. Students having these disorders are fighting this life and death

battle.

This is related to the study in such way that our scope in mainly in school thus we

may be able to get objectives from the adolescent’s present. It claims that the pressure

that one student would experience may affect their emotional and behavioral condition

that may lead to depression or eating disorders.

In addition to that, a study titled “Weight Status and Body Image Perception in

Adolescents: Current Perspectives” (Voelker, et al., 2015). Research has shown that

weight-based teasing from parents and siblings is associated with body dissatisfaction

among girls and drive for muscularity among boys in eighth and ninth grade (Schaefer

MK, Salafia EHB). Parents’ encouragement to control weight has been said to be one of

the most linked to heightened weight concerns among their children. Negative weight

talks and dieting among family members, especially from mothers who serve as role

models for body image, has been shown to be related to body image concerns and

disordered eating behaviors in adolescent girls (Helfert S., Warschburger P.). Webb and

Zimmer-Gembeck (2014) found that friends and peers influence adolescent body

dissatisfaction through various mechanisms, including appearance-based teasing and

criticism, modeling and discussing appearance concerns, making appearance

comparisons, judging the appearance of friends, and social conflict or exclusion. The

perception of physical changes in a sociocultural context plays a critical role in shaping

body image throughout adolescence. In a similar overview of topic in an article published

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in Taylor and Francis Online (2016), it is stated that body dissatisfaction can lead to

depression while drive to thinness can lead to eating disorders. This statement clearly is

a thought of the connectivity between each other, the negative effects has both come in

risk.

This is related to the study in a way that shows the negative weight concerns of

parents, family members, and friends that would eventually lead to the shaping of the

perception of physical changes in body image throughout adolescence.

Furthermore, a study “Body Image in Men and Women: Gender Roles,

Competitiveness, and Appearance-Related Emotions” by Dolan George Kew (2015). In

his research conducted, he stated that body image is seen as a problem involving multiple

sexes, social comparisons and competition. This study therefore aims to learn more about

feelings associated with a healthy body image in men and women by examining the

relationships between gender roles, competitiveness and body appearance. I predicted

positive correlations between masculinity and competitiveness, competitiveness and

body-related negative emotions. Students from college (220 females, 60 males and 2

others) were surveyed using the Bem Sex Role Inventory, the Competitive Orientation

Measurement and the Scale of Self-conscious Emotions related to body and appearance.

Masculinity has been positively correlated with the four subscales of competitiveness and

authentic and hubristic pride in both men and women. Each of the four subscales for

competitiveness was significantly positive for both sexes and separately with hubristic

pride, while only two of the four subscales were correlated with genuine pride.

Competitiveness has most likely been positively linked to body pride due to a self-serving

prejudice. This finding can be connected to both maladaptive and adaptive functions.

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Further research is required to explore the positive image of the body in order to identify

and promote a healthy and adaptive positive image of the body.

These related studies correlate to the study because it aims to create an awareness

to people about body dissatisfaction. These studies do the same thing: to show people

that body dissatisfaction is more than just being upset of their bodies and to help people

overcome such issue.

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 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

This chapter accommodates the discussion regarding the research design, research

participants, data sources, data procedures, trustworthiness of the study as well as with

the ethical consideration that are provided by the participants in the conduct and action

of the study.

This chapter shows the effectivity of the research design as it proceeds towards the

research problem. Data that will be collected and interviews that will be conducted by the

participants will be also presented. This chapter tackles the methods that will be used by

the participants of this study to dig into the subject of why adolescents have body

dissatisfaction. Moreover, these methods will showcase the features on what push them

to do cheat in their body as well as the effects of the circumstances on it in their healthy

living.

Research Design

Generally, research design is the planning of the structure and executing actions for

the research. Research design covers and includes four important considerations: the

strategy, the identification of whom to study on, the tools or procedures to be used for

collecting and analyzing data and the conceptual framework. In this study, qualitative

method is being used to develop in the social society to enable researchers to study

psychological phenomena: observe feelings, thoughts, beliefs and the behavior of each

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participants. Case studies are example of a qualitative method. Qualitative data sources

include observation and participation, interview as well as the participant’s reactions and

impressions.

For this research, method of interview will be applied. The interview is a mean of

putting action towards the subject of being a body conscious person/student of Malayan

Colleges Mindanao as well as building their awareness and acceptance of this case

throughout the way they live of being healthy. The rationale for using the interview

methods is to enable the researchers to find out what is on their mind, what they think

and how they feel about the issue.

Research Participants

We researchers will make use of arts-based and case study as our method for

choosing our participants. According to PressAcademia (2018), case studies are based

on an in-depth investigation of a single individual, group or event to explore the causes

of underlying principles. Furthermore, case study is a descriptive and exploratory analysis

of a person, group or event. And based on FQS (2018), arts-based research methods is

viewed as any social research or human inquiry that adapts the tenets of the innovative

arts as a part of methodology, the arts may be used all through data collection, analysis,

interpretation and/or dissemination (JONES & LEAVY, 2004, PP. 1-2).

For this study, the participants who will be included in this research as the primary

data source will be intentionally selected based on a confirmed standard. First, they are

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Malayan students and either boy or girl. Second, they are classified as adolescents. And

lastly, they experience body dissatisfaction in their life.

Data Sources

The conduct of this study has two data sources: the collection of interviews that is

conducted to the participants and the supporting ideas in literatures as well as the opinion

of an expert about this topic. By this, a reasonable idea will be more express and clarity

to the situation is to be much more signify. The primary data source is the firsthand

collection of researchers which are the techniques such as interviews, survey, field

observation and experiments that will came from the participants. The data will come in

the form of participants narration about their experiences, a personify source form their

idea is needed to go through in these experiences. The secondary data source emanate

from the related literature which will help expound the idea of the narration of the

participant in detailed and systematically. In addition with that, the opinion of an expert

(psychologist) will be contemplate to add more of a detail and discussion in order to

become expansive and that the point of the participants experience will be deepened.

These will be collected from the student participants of Malayan Colleges of Mindanao in

the stage of adolescence, which focuses about body dissatisfaction and their thoughts

about the issue. This place has been chosen for students nowadays do feel conscious

about their body in the growing stage and the way they act on it towards their healthy

living.

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 Data Collection Procedure

To acquire the data needed for this study multi-methods qualitative approach will

be utilize, the proponents will begin by constructing an interview guide and preparation

for the arts-based projects. This interview guide will be composed of ten questions and

the art-based projects will have the following activity: the in-session drawing exercise and

a creative project which will help in answering the four research questions indicated in

Chapter 1. Upon construction and preparation of the said interview guide and arts-based

project, the proponents will then proceed to the endorsement of permission letters to be

handed out to the participants for their perusal and approval. Once the letters are signed,

the proponents will then proceed to the interview sessions which will be carried out by

five members of the research group.

After the interview sessions, the data collected by the proponents will then

transcribe the interviews and arrange the responses into the emergent themes found in

the narrations.

Trustworthiness of the Study

This section holds the discussion of the study’s trustworthiness in the context of its

credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. This is especially needed to

uphold the ethics and uniformity of this study.

Credibility. To ensure that this study is indeed credible, the proponents will be using

data triangulation, which is a process of using more than one method in acquiring data.

This can also help in proving the validity of this study. As stated in the section prior to this

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one, this study will have two sources of data: interviews conducted upon various

participants and related literature as well as opinions from experts pertaining the topic.

Common prerequisites will then be used for the rising themes of this study.

Transferability. Transferability has two meanings: it can imply to the collection of

data and to the transferability of the results. In the context of data collection, the extent of

transferability is relatively high considering that similar methods of data collection may be

accredited to other studies. Transferability in the context of its results, however, isn’t as

high considering that the study can refer to anyone.

Dependability. To ensure that the results are dependable, a third-party evaluator

will be called in to check. This is to also ensure that results will be collected even from

repeated conducting of questions. The questions will then be subjected to various stages

of checking and editing to steer clear of prejudice and obscurity.

Confirmability. Finally, to check for its confirmability, the participants will be

presented with the data collected by the proponents to allow them to check the transcribed

statements. This will help in avoiding mistakes in the final paper. The data will be adjusted

if the participants sees fit.

Ethical Considerations

Various ethical considerations will be used in this study, such as: the confidentiality

of the participants, the acquisition of permission for the interview and the accuracy of the

participants’ statements. First, to keep our participants’ confidentiality, we will be

employing them with codenames, which will be randomized and generalized.

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 Second, the chosen participants will be given permission letters to inform them of

their rights as participants of the study, such as the right to withdraw their participation

and statements in this study, as well as their anonymity. If they so choose to accept, the

letters will be signed by the participants, recognizing that they have read and understood

the prerequisites mentioned in the letter.

Finally, as mentioned before, the transcription from the interview will presented

back to the participants to be checked for irregularities and mistakes in their statements.

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