An Analysis of Specific Life Satisfaction Domains and Disordered Eating among College Students

Abstract

This thesis examines the relationship between life satisfaction (e.g., family, friends, etc.) and eating behaviors/weight perceptions of 723 college students. Participants completed the survey and data were analyzed using correlations and logistic and multinomial regressions (genders analyzed separately). Satisfaction with Self and Physical Appearance were the strongest correlates with eating variables (-.528 to .369). Worrying about weight (-.528 to-.104), selfdescribed weight (-.407 to-.129), and binging (.110 to .186) were significantly correlated with all LS domains (p < .05). Practitioners should focus on Physical Appearance and Self as entry points for interventions. Researchers should explore the utilization of social norming techniques for shifting the concept of the "ideal" body to one that is more appropriate. Future research should examine the hypothesis that social support may mediate the relationship between life dissatisfaction and poor weight perceptions and dieting behaviors because of previous literature and the results from this study combined.

Satisfaction With Life, Well-Being, and Meaning in Life as Protective Factors of Eating Disorder Symptoms and Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescents

“…Other studies found similar results concerning the prediction of this variable based on satisfaction with life (Matthews et al, 2012). Nevertheless, because drive for thinness is usually related to a risk of eating disorders in women (Garner, 1991), the importance of satisfaction with life seems to be limited for the prevention of risk in female adolescents and other protective factors should be targeted in prevention programs to modify preoccupation with weight and the intense fear of gaining weight.…”

“…Satisfaction with life has been negatively related to several eating disorder-related symptoms, such as vomiting, perception of being overweight, binge eating behavior (Matthews, Zullig, Ward, Horn, & Huebner, 2012;Zullig, Pun, & Huebner, 2007), dieting, laxative use (Esch & Zullig, 2008;Valois, Zullig, Huebner, & Drane, 2003), perceived eating control (Greeno, Jackson, Williams, & Fortmann, 1998), and body dissatisfaction (Brannan & Petrie, 2011), in college students, eating disorder patients, younger and older adolescents, and adults. These associations have been particularly strong for female subjects.…”

The Determinants of Student Satisfaction Acquired by University Education: The Case of the Hellenic Open University

“…8 Based on our regression results, it can be calculated that for a student with one child below 7 and one child between 7 and 13, the estimated satisfaction score is 5.10 for males and 5.35 for females, ceteris paribus (all other variables at the sample means).…”

“…Similar methods can be used to examine even more peculiar issues; see e.g., Matthews et al [8] who explore the relationship between specific domains of satisfaction and disordered eating. 2 In most of the total life satisfaction studies, education has traditionally been viewed as a domain of life satisfaction.…”

Pisa

“…Ces associations n'établissent pas de lien de cause à effet entre la satisfaction des élèves à l'égard de la vie et le fait qu'ils mangent le matin et le soir (ni de relation directe, car d'autres facteurs peuvent influer à la fois sur la satisfaction des élèves à l'égard de la vie et leurs habitudes alimentaires), mais elles confirment la thèse qu'à l'adolescence, troubles alimentaires et faible satisfaction à l'égard de la vie peuvent être fortement liés (Matthews et al, 2012 Dans la plupart des économies industrialisées, être en bonne santé est un idéal, mais la minceur est souvent un canon de beauté. Ce message brouillé est parfois à l'origine d'une obsession du poids qui peut être particulièrement éprouvante à l'adolescence.…”