Body image perception and self-esteem in eating disordered females : further validation of the silhouette body image test / by K. Jennifer Helm. --

Abstract

Previous research has shown that the available techniques for assessing body image perception do not provide valid and reliable measures. The present study was designed to further validate the Silhouette Body Image Test (SBIT), which was found to be a reliable and valid measure of body image perception on a population of non-eating disordered university students. In the present study, a sample of anorexics, bulimics and non-eating disordered females were administered the SBIT. Responses on the SBIT were compared to subject’s actual body size. Results indicated that eating disordered females significantly overestimated their body size when compared to non-eating disordered controls. Subjects level of self-esteem was measured with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) to examine the relationship between self-esteem and body image distortion. Eating disordered females scored significantly lower in level of self-esteem. Results indicated a significant negative correlation between low self-esteem and percent of overestimation of body size for all subjects. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.