Self-Discrepancy Theory, Standards for Body Evaluation, and Eating Disorder Symptomatology Among College Women

Abstract

Potential links between personal and sociocultural aspects of body-image concerns and sets of behavioral and emotional symptoms associated with eating disorders were explored within a self-discrepancy theory framework. It was predicted that actual:ideal body-image discrepancies from one's own standpoint would be related to symptoms reflecting feelings like dissatisfaction and actual:ought body-image discrepancies from a societal standpoint would be related to symptoms reflecting feelings like anxiety. The Bodies Questionnaire, Eating Disorder Inventory, and demographic information were completed by 196 undergraduate women volunteers. Results generally supported the predictions, although the effects were small. Perceived body-image discrepancies from sociocultural prescriptions for slimness and appearance are more closely associated with symptoms reflecting failures to achieve these standards than with symptoms reflecting efforts to attain them. In addition, the contribution of personal ideals to bulimic symptomatology and body dissatisfaction includes concerns about body attributes not associated with weight. Possible clinical applications are discussed.

Absorbing Society’s Influence: Body Image Self-Discrepancy and Internalized Shame

“…Discrepancies between ideal and ought self-guides and perceptions of one's actual self have been hypothesized to lead to different kinds of emotional vulnerabilities. Self-discrepancy theory predicts general actual:ideal self-discrepancy (AI-failure to achieve personal ideals) to be associated with dissatisfaction with the self that can manifest as shame (e.g., Higgins, 1987), body dissatisfaction (e.g., Cash & Green, 1986), or even bulimic symptoms (e.g., Snyder, 1997). In addition, general actual: ought (other) self-discrepancy (AOO-failure to achieve others' prescriptions) is associated more with feelings of guilt and personal inadequacy (ought-societal; e.g., Snyder, 1997) or anorexic behaviors (ought-important other; e.g., Higgins, Vookles, & Tykocinski, 1992;Strauman, Vookles, Berenstein, Chaiken, & Higgins, 1991).…”

“…Self-discrepancy theory predicts general actual:ideal self-discrepancy (AI-failure to achieve personal ideals) to be associated with dissatisfaction with the self that can manifest as shame (e.g., Higgins, 1987), body dissatisfaction (e.g., Cash & Green, 1986), or even bulimic symptoms (e.g., Snyder, 1997). In addition, general actual: ought (other) self-discrepancy (AOO-failure to achieve others' prescriptions) is associated more with feelings of guilt and personal inadequacy (ought-societal; e.g., Snyder, 1997) or anorexic behaviors (ought-important other; e.g., Higgins, Vookles, & Tykocinski, 1992;Strauman, Vookles, Berenstein, Chaiken, & Higgins, 1991). However, more recent research has shown that the distinction between ideal and ought self-discrepancies and specific emotions is not so clear-cut, which suggests that self-discrepancies in general can produce both dejection-and agitation-related emotions and that both ideal and ought self-discrepancies are more strongly linked with dejection and shame than with anxiety and guilt (Tangney, Niedenthal, Covert, & Barlow, 1998).…”

Body image disturbance in obese outpatients before and after weight loss in relation to race, gender, binge eating, and age of onset of obesity

“…Some have used body image disturbance to describe a defect in the perception of size or an inaccurate assessment of body parts (Valtolina, 1998). Others have referred to it as exaggerated distress with body size (Pingitore, Spring, & Garfield,1997) or concern about body attributes (Snyder, 1997). Body image disturbance has also been described as an inability to determine a realistic, attainable size (Adami et al,1998).…”

Reasons for undergoing cosmetic surgery: a retrospective study

“…This is born out by the data presented here -the women want to be 'normal', not beautiful. This also resonates to some extent with Self Discrepancy theory (Higgins, Strauman and Klein, 1986;Higgins 1987;Snyder, 1997) which would predict that if there is a gap between the way women feel they actually look and how they ideally ought to look, then there might be a drive to reduce this discrepancy and a concomitant alleviation of anxiety when this was accomplished. None of these are exclusively explicative of the rise in cosmetic surgery but may help to understand motivational factors.…”