Do body-related shame and guilt mediate the association between weight status and self-esteem?. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pila, Eva; Sabiston, Catherine M; Brunet, Jennifer; Castonguay, Andree L; O'Loughlin, Jennifer
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 20:Number 5(2015:May)
• Page Start: 659
• Page End: 669
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: mediation -- obesity -- self-conscious emotions -- self-esteem -- weight status; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105315573449
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

Individuals who are overweight or obese report body image concerns and lower self-esteem. However, little is known about the mechanisms underpinning these associations. The objective of this study was to test body-related shame and guilt as mediators in the association between weight status and self-esteem. Young adult participants ( n = 790) completed assessments of self-esteem and body-related guilt and shame, and weight status indicators were measured by trained technicians. Findings from multiple mediation analyses suggest that body-related shame mediates the relationship between weight status and self-esteem. If replicated in longitudinal studies, these findings suggest that reducing body-related emotions may have important implications for improving self-esteem in clinical weight management.