Depressive Symptomatology and Body Image in Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Depression is increasingly being recognized as a significant problem among adolescents. With documentation of its prevalence in clinic and non-clinic samples, researchers are beginning to identify correlates and possible risk factors. To that end, this study assesses the relationship between depression, indicated by scores on the Beck Depression Inventory, and two measures of body image in a sample of over 500 early adolescent girls attending public school. As predicted, moderately to severely depressed girls were significantly less satisfied with their bodies overall and viewed their bodies as significantly less attractive, less competent, and less a familiar part of the self, than minimally depressed girls. This relationship between depression and body image did not vary with developmental markers such as age and menarcheal status.