Emotion profiles among adolescent female athletes: Associations with flourishing. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gilchrist, Jenna D.; Lucibello, Kristen M.; Pila, Eva; Crocker, Peter R.E.; Sabiston, Catherine M.
• Is Part Of: Body image. Volume 39(2021)
• Page Start: 166
• Page End: 174
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Sport -- Body image -- Pride -- Shame -- Guilt -- Adolescent girls; Body image -- Periodicals; Body image -- Research -- Periodicals; Body Image -- Periodicals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.08.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-1445

Abstract

Highlights: Profiles were identified based on valance and frequency of body-related emotions. Athletes' patterns of emotions were uniquely associated with flourishing. Athletes reporting only body-related pride reported the greatest flourishing. Athletes reporting guilt and shame occasionally reported the lowest flourishing. Pride can buffer against guilt and shame but depends on frequency. Abstract: Many girls who participate in sport struggle to negotiate the complex relationship between their desired appearance and maintaining a physique that facilitates performance. As a result, these athletes experience a range of emotions about their bodies that impact their psychological well-being. We examined appearance- and fitness-related emotions using latent profile analysis among 507 adolescent girls involved in organized sport and examined differences in flourishing across the resulting profiles. Four emotion profiles were identified: (i) Frequent Pride, (ii) Occasional Fitness Pride, (iii) Occasional Pride, Rare Guilt/Shame, and (iv) Occasional Emotions. Participants in the Occasional Emotions profile reported the lowest flourishing scores compared to every other profile while those in the Frequent Pride profile reported the highest levels of flourishing. There were no differences in flourishing between those in the Occasional Fitness Pride profile and those in the Occasional Pride, Rare Guilt/Shame profile. Our results demonstrate how subsets of athletes may characteristically experience distinct combinations of emotions that are differentially associated with flourishing. Increasing experiences of body-related pride while mitigating experiences of guilt and shame appear to be important contributors to flourishing. However, experiences of pride may do little to buffer against reductions in flourishing when guilt and shame are experienced.