Effective Protection against Feelings of Depression by Enhancing Self-esteem and Mental Body Representations in Mid-adolescence
Effective Protection against Feelings of Depression by Enhancing Self-esteem and Mental Body Representations in Mid-adolescence

Summary/Abstract: Adolescence is characterised by vivid and dynamic emotional states. The direct relationship between mental body representation and self-esteem and between self-esteem and depression has been intensively explored. However, little is known about the interactions of these variables. The goal of the study was to test a model in which body awareness, body schema and self-esteem played a mediating role in the relationship between body image and depressive feelings (trait and state) among mid-adolescents. Participants: 621 adolescents (49.6% girls; M = 15.02, SD = 0.82). The methods used: The State-Trait Personality Inventory, The Battery of Tests of the Body Self Representations, The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The statistical analysis: sequential mediation models with three mediators; the mediation process was differentiated between state and trait depression while taking into account sex differences. The relationships between body image and depression feelings (trait and state) were mediated by other mental body representations. For the trait of depression in both sex groups, body awareness proved to be the only significant predictor. In contrast, with regard to state depression, the significant mediator was body awareness in the girls' group and body schema in the boys' group. This points to the need for sex-sensitive prevention programmes.

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