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Family Reflections: Associations between Maternal Bodily Comments, Body Image, and Sibling Closeness
Publication Date
2025
Document Type
Poster
Degree Type
Undergraduate
Department
Psychology
Mentor
Dr. Suejung Han
Abstract
Purpose Maternal influences on their children’s body image through comments on weight and body shapes are well- established (Handford, Rapee, Fardouly, 2017), but the mechanisms through which such an influence occurs have not been sufficiently examined. Studies have shown that sibling relationships and attachment also impact a person’s psychological outcomes (Dahill et al., 2023). I propose that mothers’ behaviors— such as making comments about body shape, weight, or eating habits and pressuring children to achieve certain appearances—may negatively affect body esteem by increasing bodily comparison with siblings. Specifically, it is hypothesized that mothers' body- and eating-related comments are associated with adult children’s body esteem negatively through bodily comparisons with siblings.
Procedure Participants were 329 undergraduates (mean age = 19.83, SD = 6.34, 84% Whites, 87% female) recruited through the research participation management system of SONA for course credits. Participants completed an online survey that included modified items from the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ) (Thompson et al., 2000), modified items from the Upward Physical Appearance Comparisons (UPACS) (O'Brien et al., 2009), and the Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA) (Mendelson, White, & Mendelson, 1997).
Results A path analysis was conducted using SPSS PROCESS MACRO (Hayes, 2022), with maternal comments as the IV, body esteem as the DV, and bodily comparison with siblings as the mediator. The mediation model was supported, R=.56, R2=.31, F (2, 283) = 20.93, p< .001. The paths were significant in the expected direction. The indirect effect was significant, β = 0.0030 [-.0055, -.0012]. The direct effect was also significant, β = -.03, p< .001, indicating partial mediation.
Conclusion Maternal comments on body shape, weight, and eating behaviors may contribute to negative body image or body dissatisfaction by promoting bodily social comparisons with one’s siblings. These results highlight the complexities of sibling dynamics and the role of maternal influences in shaping relationships and body esteem. However, the partial mediation and the small effect size of the indirect effect suggest the existence of additional mediating mechanisms that warrant future studies.
Recommended Citation
Kolze, Alannah, "Family Reflections: Associations between Maternal Bodily Comments, Body Image, and Sibling Closeness" (2025). University Research Symposium. 473.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/rsp_urs/473
