Early Adolescent Adjustment and Critical Evaluations by Self and Other: The Prospective Impact of Body Image Dissatisfaction and Peer Appearance Teasing on Global Self-Esteem

Abstract

This research examined the longitudinal contributions of body dissatisfaction and peer appearance teasing to changes in the global self-worth for middle-school students. 81 girls and 60 boys from two public middle schools were assessed initially in the spring of 7^th grade and one year later. The results indicated that body dissatisfaction and peer appearance teasing were negatively related to T2 global esteem after controlling for initial esteem. Gender differences were noted. For the boys, higher levels of both body dissatisfaction and appearance teasing detracted equally from global esteem. Among the girls, the contribution of body dissatisfaction to T2 global esteem was partially mediated by appearance teasing. Findings are discussed in terms of the importance of critical evaluations by self and others for early adolescents' self-esteem. The need to consider negative appearance teasing as a form of peer harassment with the potential to affect adjustment through self-esteem is also discussed.