Perceived Parenting, Social Appearance Anxiety, Mindful Eating, and Body Image Satisfaction in College Students

Abstract

The present study examined the relationships between perceived parenting, social appearance anxiety, mindful eating, and body image satisfaction in college students. Correlational research design was used and it was hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship between perceived parenting (Authoritative, Authoritarian, and Permissive) social appearance anxiety, mindful eating (Awareness, Distraction, Disinhibition, Emotional, and External), and body image satisfaction (favorable body image and Unfavorable body image) in college students. Moreover, it was also hypothesized that perceived parenting, social appearance anxiety, and mindful eating would be the significant predictors of body image satisfaction. It is hypothesized that mindful eating would be mediated the connection between social appearance anxiety and body image satisfaction. It is hypothesized that there would be significant gender differences, between perceived parenting, social appearance anxiety, mindful eating, and body image satisfaction in college students. The sample comprised of 350 college students with age range of (16- 22). A total of 400 participants were initially recruited; however, 50 responses were discarded because the participants’ parents were either deceased or separated, resulting in a final sample of 350 students. The demographic sheet, Parental Authority Questionnaire (Alkharusi et al, 2011), Appearance Anxiety Inventory (Veale et al, 2014), Mindful Eating questionnaire (Framson et al, 2009) and Body Image Questionnaire (Bruchon et al, 1987) were used. Data were analyzed using Pearson product Moment Correlation, Multiple Linear regression Analysis, Mediation Analysis, Independent Samples t-Test. The results of the study showed that authoritative parenting was positively linked to the mindful eating and body image satisfaction whereas social appearance anxiety was linked to higher levels of mindful eating and unfavorable body image. The regression analysis found the demographics to be having only a little impact on favorable body image, social appearance anxiety and mindful eating contributed a significantly predictors of unfavorable body image. Mediation analysis also found that mindful eating partially mediated the relationship between social appearance anxiety and body image satisfaction. The independent sample t-test which calculated an unequal gender distribution as females had higher scores on perceived parenting styles, mindful eating, and males had higher scores on social appearance anxiety and mindful eating and unfavorable body image satisfaction. Findings have important implications include incorporating mindful eating and social appearance anxiety interventions, along with parent-focused programs, into educational and clinical settings to promote favorable body image and emotional well-being.