Going beyond appearance: Embodiment throughout adolescence and its associations with identity functioning and eating behaviors

Abstract

The complex relationship between body (dis)satisfaction, identity, and disordered eating in adolescence has been highlighted in previous studies. However, longitudinal research on this interplay using a holistic approach in assessing embodiment is lacking. The current study used three-wave longitudinal data (T1: N = 923; 59.6 % female; M_age = 16.19, SD = 1.31, range = 13–21 years) to examine the development of embodiment during adolescence and to explore its (temporal) associations with identity, eating disorder symptoms, and eating competence. First, cross-lagged analyses revealed that embodiment positively predicted identity synthesis and eating competence skills over time, whereas it negatively predicted identity confusion and eating disorder symptoms over time, with some associations being bidirectional. Second, latent growth curve modeling indicated that embodiment showed increases throughout adolescence and emerging adulthood. Relatedly, interindividual differences in development were demonstrated, with latent class growth analysis pointing to four embodiment trajectory classes (high, moderate, low, and problematic embodiment). Finally, multigroup latent growth curve modeling suggested that the embodiment trajectory classes differed meaningfully on identity functioning, eating disorder symptoms, and eating competence skills. Overall, this study suggests the importance of embodiment for both research and clinical practice.