Interpersonal rejection results in increased appearance satisfaction for women who rely on body weight for self-worth

Lauren M O'Driscoll; Josée L Jarry

doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.09.003

Interpersonal rejection results in increased appearance satisfaction for women who rely on body weight for self-worth

Body Image. 2015 Jan:12:36-43. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.09.003. Epub 2014 Oct 21.

Authors

Lauren M O'Driscoll¹, Josée L Jarry²

Affiliations

¹ University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
² University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: jjarry@uwindsor.ca.

PMID: 25462880
DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.09.003

Abstract

This study examined whether body weight contingent self-worth (BWCSW), the tendency to base self-worth on body weight, moderates the effects of interpersonal rejection on self-esteem and body satisfaction. In an online survey, female undergraduates (N=148) completed measures of trait self-esteem, depression, and BWCSW. In a subsequent lab session, participants were assigned to either an interpersonal rejection or to a neutral control condition, after which they completed measures of state self-esteem and body satisfaction. Compared to women with lower BWCSW, women with higher BWCSW reported lower appearance self-esteem (p=.001) and body satisfaction (p=.004) across conditions. However, they reacted to rejection by reporting greater appearance self-esteem (p=.034) and body satisfaction (p=.021). Rejection had no effect on women with lower BWCSW. The reaction of women with higher BWCSW is interpreted as a compensatory self-enhancement response to interpersonal rejection within a self-important domain.

Keywords: Body satisfaction; Compensatory self-enhancement; Contingencies of self-worth; Interpersonal rejection; Self-esteem.

MeSH terms

Adult
Body Image / psychology*
Body Weight*
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations*
Motivation
Personal Satisfaction*
Psychological Distance*
Self Concept*
Students / psychology
Young Adult