Date of Submission

2016

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Robert A DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP

First Advisor

Celine I Thompson, PhD

Second Advisor

Susan Panichelli Mindel, PhD

Third Advisor

Rebecca C Walter, PhD

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between feeling fat and weight-gain feedback in a sample of 111 non-eating-disordered women between the ages of 18 to 45 years. Specifically, this study examined feeling fat with regard to feedback type (i.e., weight reading or clothing size) and social context (i.e., alone or with peers present). Additionally, perfectionism was examined as a related variable within this relationship. Hypotheses related to social context and perfectionism were supported, whereas hypotheses related to feedback type were not supported. Results indicated a significant main effect for social context on feeling fat scores and an insignificant interaction effect for feedback type. Additionally, correlational data showed a positive correlation between perfectionism and feeling fat experiences across feedback type and social context. This correlation also showed positive correlations between actual reported body weight and feeling fat in addition to BMI and feeling fat, but only in the context of a medical setting. Despite this study’s limitations, the findings offered suggestions for future research in addition to implications for clinical applications. Results are discussed in consideration of body image dissatisfaction and eating disorder prevention.

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