What is the Role of Parent-Child Avoidant Attachment in Shaping Body Image Satisfaction Among College Students?
Major
Psychology
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Psychology
Faculty Advisor
Marie Nebel-Schwalm
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-12-2025 8:30 AM
End Date
4-12-2025 9:30 AM
Abstract
The Tripartite Influence Model (Thompson et al., 1999) identifies parents as a key contributor to body image concerns, yet how these influences are examined varies widely. Research indicates that insecure adult attachment is associated with eating problems (Bamford & Halliwell, 2009; Ward et al., 2000), but fewer studies have directly examined parental attachment’s relationship with body satisfaction. While general attachment and other relationship-specific attachment has been explored in relation to body image dissatisfaction (McKinley & Randa, 2005), there are limited studies on the effects of parental-child avoidant attachment in particular. Anxiously attached individuals have a negative self-view but a positive view of others, leading them to seek validation and fear abandonment, making them more susceptible to sociocultural pressures like thin-ideal internalization (Brennan et al., 1998; Cash et al., 2003). In contrast, avoidantly attached individuals have a positive self-view but a negative view of others, prioritizing independence and emotional distance while feeling discomfort with intimacy (Brennan et al., 1998). While avoidant attachment is often grouped under general insecure attachment or deemed unrelated to body satisfaction, its independent effects remain under explored. A recent study found that anxious attachment—particularly with mothers—significantly predicted thin-ideal internalization and negatively impacted body image satisfaction, even after accounting for gender (Kandal et al., 2025). However, little is known about the specific role of avoidant attachment in body image outcomes, especially in college populations. The present study examines whether parent-child attachment, particularly avoidant attachment, predicts body image satisfaction among undergraduates after accounting for thin-ideal internalization (Thompson et al., 1999). It is hypothesized that avoidant attachment will not significantly predict body satisfaction, but this study seeks to clarify its effects in comparison to anxious attachment. Understanding these dynamics may provide insight into how parent-child attachment shapes body image and inform interventions that promote healthier self-perception among young adults.
What is the Role of Parent-Child Avoidant Attachment in Shaping Body Image Satisfaction Among College Students?
CNS Atrium
The Tripartite Influence Model (Thompson et al., 1999) identifies parents as a key contributor to body image concerns, yet how these influences are examined varies widely. Research indicates that insecure adult attachment is associated with eating problems (Bamford & Halliwell, 2009; Ward et al., 2000), but fewer studies have directly examined parental attachment’s relationship with body satisfaction. While general attachment and other relationship-specific attachment has been explored in relation to body image dissatisfaction (McKinley & Randa, 2005), there are limited studies on the effects of parental-child avoidant attachment in particular. Anxiously attached individuals have a negative self-view but a positive view of others, leading them to seek validation and fear abandonment, making them more susceptible to sociocultural pressures like thin-ideal internalization (Brennan et al., 1998; Cash et al., 2003). In contrast, avoidantly attached individuals have a positive self-view but a negative view of others, prioritizing independence and emotional distance while feeling discomfort with intimacy (Brennan et al., 1998). While avoidant attachment is often grouped under general insecure attachment or deemed unrelated to body satisfaction, its independent effects remain under explored. A recent study found that anxious attachment—particularly with mothers—significantly predicted thin-ideal internalization and negatively impacted body image satisfaction, even after accounting for gender (Kandal et al., 2025). However, little is known about the specific role of avoidant attachment in body image outcomes, especially in college populations. The present study examines whether parent-child attachment, particularly avoidant attachment, predicts body image satisfaction among undergraduates after accounting for thin-ideal internalization (Thompson et al., 1999). It is hypothesized that avoidant attachment will not significantly predict body satisfaction, but this study seeks to clarify its effects in comparison to anxious attachment. Understanding these dynamics may provide insight into how parent-child attachment shapes body image and inform interventions that promote healthier self-perception among young adults.