Like Mother, Like Daughter? Double Standards in Body Evaluation and Their Familial Transmission in Female Adolescents and Their Mothers

Background

Cognitive biases, such as applying stricter body evaluation for oneself than for others, are presumed to promote the development and maintenance of eating disorders. While questionnaire data have demonstrated a familial transmission of body image, these self-deprecating double standards (DS) have not been studied among female adolescents, and a potential familial transmission of DS through feedback/role-modeling is yet to be explored. The present study thus addresses these questions.

Methods

Female adolescents and their mothers viewed pictures of their own and peer bodies presented with their own and another peer’s face, and were asked to rate arousal, valence, body attractiveness, and body fat for each body.

Results

Daughters evaluated their own, an average-weight, and an overweight build as less attractive and with more body fat when presented with their own than with another face, while mothers mainly applied such self-deprecating DS for an overweight build. Regarding familial transmission, higher negative maternal feedback was associated with more self-deprecating DS of body fat and attractiveness in daughters when viewing an overweight build.

Conclusions

Female adolescents and their mothers apply self-deprecating DS, suggesting that DS are widespread. Psychoeducation and training regarding communication, feedback, and body functionality might support the prevention of DS.