Stereotypes about Body Dissatisfaction ...

It has often been reported and believed that white women are less satisfied with their bodies than non-white women. New research suggests that this is not the case. A new meta-analysis that was published in the July issue of the Psychological Bulletin (vol. 132, no. 4) provides evidence that this belief about women, race and body image is not what we all thought.

It appears that there is little difference between ethnicities pertaining to a woman's satisfaction with her body. This is important information because it affirms the needs that ALL women have regarding body satisfaction, but it also highlights the need for prevention efforts which reach EVERY woman.

To access the article, follow this LINK which will take you to the American Psychological Asssociation's website.

Effects of Parent's Deployment on Children

A recent study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics reports that a third of kids who have a parent who has been deployed is at greater risk for developing psychological problems. More research needs to be done, but what is clear is that kids who have a parent who has been/is deployed have been identified as 'at-risk.' Parents of these kids need to be aware of this, as it relates to the support that their kids may need. Not all kids are affected the same way and this study does not mean all kids with a deployed parent will have psychological problems. What it does mean is that parents need to be aware and can aim to prevent such issues by providing a supportive environment, and seeking professional help if needed.

Information retrieved from this article. For more information, follow the link to read the article.

Educated Family May Mean Higher Eating Disorder Risk

An article published on Reuters recently reported that girls who come from educated families may be at greater risk of developing an eating disorder. This does not mean that girls whose fathers, mothers and grandparents are highly educated are destined to have an eating disorder; however, it reinforces and identifies a group (teenage girls!) who are at risk.

This article was based on a study that followed generations of families in Sweden, specifically families who had girls that were born between 1952 and 1989. While girls whose parents completed college were twice as likely to be treated for an eating disorder than girls whose parents had an elementary school education, the astounding news (to me!) is related to maternal grandmothers' education as predictors of eating disorders. Girls whose maternal grandmothers completed college were six times as likely to be treated for an eating disorder, as compared to girls whose maternal grandmothers only attended elementary school. While it is not clear that greater academic achievement leads to eating disorders, it IS clear that the link exists. The article hypothesizes that expectations may have something to do with it; we have known for awhile that high-achieving girls are at risk for eating disorders, and it is possible that the higher (perceived) expectations that a girl feels (educationally or otherwise), the more at risk a girl is to develop an eating disorder. As mentioned in a previous post about prevention efforts with teenagers, it is important to highlight groups of teenagers that may be at high risk for developing eating disorders, as well as other mental illnesses, to do all that we can to prevent their development.

For the article, follow this link!

The Power of Prevention

The American Psychology Association's journal publication recently published an article on prevention and the effectiveness of prevention efforts on adolescents. According to a recent study put out by the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council, programs and interventions being used to prevent mental, emotional and behavioral disorders in adolescents have proven to be widely effective. These results are significant and important because they reinforce the need and purpose of prevention education, whether in the school system, non-profit sector, or in a counseling setting. When it comes to eating disorders (as well as depression, mood disorders, substance abuse, anxiety, etc), taking preventative measures and efforts is essential.

For more information on this report, follow this link.

The Link Between Depression and Acne in Teens

A recent article in Time magazine, entitled Teen Acne and Depression: Can Mood Worsen Skin?, explores the relationship between a teenager's well-being/mood, and his or her skin. I have heard often and from many different people that stress and depression cause acne, but I have rarely seen articles or studies which highlight the relationship. While more research must be done, this article may be an interesting read for those of you who have teenagers with acne and/or depression, OR for those of you who may have once been a depressed teen, OR if you are a teenager currently experiencing depression or acne.