The effects of maternal modeling and parenting style on the development of eating disorder risk factors in adolescent daughters

Abstract

The effect of different variables on the development of eating disorder risk factors has been widely studied. Much data exist on maternal influences on adolescent daughters' risk of developing eating disorders, though much is conflicting. Determining whether maternal parenting style, including provision of educational resources, and eating attitude influence the adolescent daughters' development of eating disorder risk factors in a rural setting has not been looked at to our knowledge. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship, if any, of maternal parenting style and eating attitudes to adolescent daughters' development of eating disorder risk factors (self esteem concerns, weight loss behaviors, and food preoccupation). In a rural community, a sample of adolescents (n = 27) aged 14 to 18 years and their parents were given questionnaires on topics including nutrition, health beliefs, familial relationships, and self esteem. This study utilized the data from these questionnaires to conduct correlation and multiple regression analyses to determine relationships between both maternal parenting style and maternal eating attitudes on the daughters' development of eating disorder risk factors. Results indicate that maternal pressure on the adolescent daughter's educational success via educational resources was not associated with the development of eating disorder risk factors. However, a higher level of control among mothers was related to negative self esteem in their adolescent daughters. Negative self esteem as an eating disorder risk has been indicated in many previous studies. Also, maternal eating attitudes are shown to influence the development of eating disorder risk factors in their daughters. It is important for mothers to realize their impact in the development of their adolescent daughters' eating attitudes and behaviors. Education concerning prevention of eating disorders should be focused on adolescent daughters and their mothers. Additional research concerning other possible maternal influences as well as paternal influence on the development of eating disorder risk factors is needed.