Mark H. Thelen

Children's perceptions of peer influence on eating concerns

This study explored how childrens perceptions of peer influence were associated with their eating and body image concerns and how childrens eating concerns and perceptions of peer influence differed by grade and gender. Childrens perceptions of peer messages (e.g., being teased about ones weight), peer interactions (e.g., talking about food or dieting), and peer likability (i.e., the belief that being thin will increase how much peers like them) were measured with the Inventory of Peer Influence on Eating Concerns. This inventory, along with the Body Image and Eating Questionnaire, and 3 scales of the Eating Disorder Inventory for Children, were administered to third- and fifth-grade children (n = 264). Results indicated that likability was the major contributor in predicting eating and body concerns; messages and likability related significantly with the eating and body image concern measures; and girls reported more eating-related concerns than boys. Results are discussed in terms of the potential role that peers play in childrens eating-related concerns.

Eating and body image concerns among obese and average-weight children.

Research compared obese and average-weight children with regard to concerns about being or becoming overweight, history of dieting, concerns about the effects of eating food, and perceived discrepancy between real and ideal body image. Participants included 526 obese and average-weight elementary-age school children to whom questionnaires were administered. Gender (male/female), obesity status (obese/average-weight), and grade level (lower elementary/upper elementary) were considered. Obese children were significantly more likely to engage in dieting behaviors, to express concern about their weight, to restrain their eating, and to exhibit more dissatisfaction with their body image than average-weight children. Girls were more likely to exhibit these behaviors than were boys. These findings suggest the importance of studying the emergence of disordered eating habits in childhood.

Distress and professional impairment among psychologists in clinical practice

Distress and professional impairment among psychologists in clinical practice can adversely affect the process of psychotherapy. In this study, 522 practicing psychologists (52.2%) completed a mail survey on distress and impairment. Various life events and work factors were associated with different

A preliminary prevention program for eating disorders in a junior high school population

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of an experimental program presented to junior high school students that focused on attitudes and knowledge about body weight, dieting, and purging as well as behavioral intentions to diet effectively. In Study 1, the experimental group and the control group were pretested. Two days after pretesting, the subjects in the experimental condition were presented a short videotape followed by a discussion. Both the videotape and discussion were presented by a 23-year-old female. All subjects were assessed again four days and one month after pretesting. In Study 2, subjects were assessed as in Study 1, however, the videotape and discussion were presented by the regular Home Economics I teacher. Based on comparisons of the experimental groups and the control groups, it was found that the experimental program in both studies was successful in changing subjects knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions regarding some aspects of their eating behavior. Limitations of these findings were discussed, as well as implications for further research.

The Fear-of-Intimacy Scale: Replication and extension.

This study investigated the validity of the Fear-of-Intimacy Scale (FIS) with a middle-aged sample, using many of the same measures that Descutner and Thelen (1991) used previously with college students, and explored the dimensions of adult attachment as potential correlates of fear of intimacy. Data were obtained from 171 Ss (83 men, 88 women; age range = 35-55) who had completed a battery of questionnaires containing the FIS and other measures of personality, behavior, and background data

Bulimia: Prevalence and component factors in college women

Using a measure of bulimia (BULIT) that has demonstrated validity and reliability, the prevalence of bulimia among three samples of college females was found to range from 2.0 to 3.8%. These percentages are substantially lower than most previous reports would suggest. Factor analysis of the BULIT data revealed that the binging factor accounted for 63% of the variance. Other factors identified include vomiting, negative feelings about overeating, menstruation problems, preference for high caloric/easily ingested food, and weight fluctuations. The intercorrelations among the factors were examined and the implications of these data for the proposed revised DSM-III criteria for bulimia are discussed.

The effect of modeling and selective attention on pain tolerance

Abstract The present study assessed the separate and combined effects of selective attention and modeling on college students tolerance for pain as measured by a cold pressor test (duration of keeping the hand in ice water). There were four treatment groups: selective attention (A), modeling (M), selective attention and modeling combined (AM), and selective attention plus modeling with cognitions (AMC). In addition, there were three control groups: no treatment (C), experimenter demand (D), and expectancy (E). Using pre-test to post-test difference scores, the four treatment conditions generally produced more pain tolerance than the control conditions, with the possible exception of the E group. The AMC group resulted in the greatest increase in pain tolerance but it was not significantly greater than the M group. There were no differences between the seven groups in their ratings of discomfort following the cold pressor test.

Bulimia and Interpersonal Relationships: A Longitudinal Study.

We assessed changes in bulimia in female college students and changes in the relation between bulimia and interpersonal relationships with women and men. A measure of bulimia (BULIT) was taken at Time 1, after a 7-month interval (Time 2), and again after a 12-month interval (Time 3). Measures of interpersonal relationships with women and men were taken at Time 2 and Time 3. Three groups were constituted on the basis of BULIT scores at Time 1: bulimic, subclinical bulimic (Ss who tested just under the cutoff for bulimia), and normal

Emotions and cognitions associated with bingeing and weight control behavior in bulimia

The examination of cognitions and emotions during the bulimic cycle is critical in understanding possible maintenance factors involved in bulimia. In this study, 22 bulimics and 22 nonbulimics recorded their thoughts and feelings every 2 waking hours over a 6-day period. Bulimics additionally recorded their moods and thoughts during their binges and compensatory behaviors (e.g., purging, exercise). Higher levels of negative affect were reported at all stages of the cycle compared to baseline, although negative affect decreased after the compensatory behavior stage. Subjects also reported stronger distorted cognitions before and after the binge compared to baseline. One of the distorted cognitions (feeling fat) decreased in strength after subjects engaged in compensatory behavior. Additional analyses revealed that most levels of negative affect and distorted cognitions were elevated prior to binges as compared to meals. Finally, negative affect and distorted cognitions were stronger after binges than after meals.

Fear of Intimacy Scale: Validation and Extension with Adolescents:

This study was designed to validate the Fear-of-Intimacy Scale (FIS) (Descutner & Thelen, 1991) with an adolescent population, with reference to both the measures original target, a dating partner (FIS-D) and a new target of the closest same-sex friend (FIS-F). High-school sophomores (158 males and 167 females) completed questionnaires pertaining to their relationships. Strong psychometric properties of both the FIS-D and FIS-F were evidenced in this study, and construct validity was supported by associations with related constructs (e.g. loneliness) and self-report items. Notable sex differences emerged, in that males reported higher fear of intimacy in their same-sex friendships, while females indicated higher fear of intimacy in their dating relationships.