Project

Promoting positive body image and resilience in youth: Understanding and addressing risk and protective factors

Code
bof/baf/4y/2024/01/453
Duration
01 January 2024 → 31 December 2025
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Social sciences
    • Psychopathology
    • Social and emotional development
Keywords
resilience eating problems early adolescents body image children
 
Project description

Body image problems and associated maladaptive eating behaviors (such as dieting or binge eating) are already frequently reported during middle childhood and early adolescence. Investigating risk and protecting factors in the development of these problems is necessary as it may inform developmental models of psychopathology, and may identify crucial components which can foster youth’s resilience and are important to include in prevention and intervention programs. The general aim of this project is (1) to increase knowledge of which factors may help children cope with the physical, psychological and social challenges that hamper the development of a positive body image and to (2) use this knowledge as a starting point for developing and testing an intervention to promote positive body image and prevent eating problems in middle childhood and early adolescence. To do so, both quantitative and qualitative approaches will be used. This project will respond to the identified needs of teachers, parents, health professionals and governments and aims to support them in strengthening resilience of today’s youth.