Bibliographic details and abstracts are available to all. Downloads of full-text dissertations are restricted to University of Portsmouth members who must login. MPhils may be accessed by all.

Abstract

This dissertation explores how generational differences and maternal influences inform self-compassion, body image and eating behaviour in daughters. This study aims to qualify how two generations have developed their body image and food-related behaviour in context of their maternal relationships. Studies specifically on the way a mother can indirectly affect her daughter through her attitudes and behaviours towards herself are sparse and have not been developed (Arroyo et al., 2017; Carbonneau et al., 2020); this gap coincides with research methods typically used in these studies. Previous studies have been generally carried out by psychologists, for example, Solano-Pinto et al.’s (2021) quantitative study on body dissatisfaction and Jarman et al.’s (2021) study on the sociocultural model of body image in context of social media. The psychological approaches of these studies mean they have taken a preference for quantitative approaches, my study has alternatively used qualitative methods to perceive the topic from a different standpoint, to achieve depth and detail.

For the study, a hybrid of semi-structured and biographical interviews was used to gather qualitative accounts from eight female participants from the United Kingdom. The results were unexpected in some areas, most significantly in the themes surrounding bidirectional parenting and comparison in older generations: social media was another major theme to arise Overall, the study has emphasised the importance of positive influences in early life and has highlighted how even small influences which seem insignificant can produce pave way for significant impact later in life. The findings from this study found direct links to existing literature confirming pre-existing theories, however, they also suggested further research areas for consideration. The results will be significant in determining the importance of influences for a female in early and later life, considering consequences which can arise from parenting approaches. In terms of contribution, this study will highlight the importance of positive social relationships for children in early life concerning body image and food-related behaviour; it will also build on the small existing pool of research in this area in preparation for future studies.

Course: Sociology with Pyschology - BSc (Hons) - C1509

Date Deposited: 2024-01-30

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14332.html