1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«First, we test the extent to which Morin, Maïano, et al.’s (2013) self-equilibrium hypothesis adequately depicts BI [body image] trajectories profiles identified across Grades 7–10. […] Second, to ascertain the construct validity of the extracted trajectory profiles, we verify whether membership in these profiles can be significantly, and differentially, predicted by familial (support and democratic control) and peer-related (relationships with same-sex and opposite sex peers) factors. […] Third, as a further test of construct-validity, we verify whether membership in these profiles significantly, and differentially, predict key developmental outcomes, such as academic success (achievement, dropout), internalizing symptoms (depression, anxiety, loneliness) and externalizing symptoms (behavioral disorders, drug-related difficulties).» (p. 1505)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
L’échantillon est composé de 1006 adolescents montréalais. «The sample was predominantly of a French-speaking Canadian descent (79.2%) [...].» (p. 1505)

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«This study supported the self-equilibrium hypothesis, demonstrating that BI levels and stability are not orthogonal.» (p. 1512) Moreover, «we found support for the idea that sharing positive relationships with peers of the same and opposite sex predicted higher initial BI levels, lower rates of change in BI levels over time, and a greater likelihood of membership into profiles characterized by higher and more stable BI at the start of the study (High, and Decreasing). […] Our results also supported the idea that parental support had positive effects of BI development […] predicting higher initial levels of BI. In contrast, the results also showed that higher levels of parental democratic control predicted an increased likelihood of membership into the Decreasing, relative the Increasing profile. [Our] various observations suggest that parental democratic control may be important for a subgroup of student who require some external help at regulating their own sense of identity and that, as this level of external control diminishes, so does their ability to maintain a strong core sense of identity.» (p. 1513) Furthermore, «[t]he Decreasing profile is […] the one presenting the highest levels of drug-related difficulties, reinforcing the fact that the benefits of low and unstable BI in terms of academic outcomes come at a cost in terms of psychosocial adaptation.» (p. 1515)