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Friendship as a Modifying Factor of Depressive Symptoms and Social Self-Efficacy in Obese and Non-Overweight Children and Adolescents

Ridel, Stephanie V. Sabyan, M.A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1385992942

Abstract Details

2006, Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, Psychology.
The purpose of the current study was to examine the number of reciprocated friendships, social self-efficacy, and depressive symptoms for a group of obese youth in comparison to non-overweight matched controls. In addition, the impact of having a reciprocated friendship on social self-efficacy and depressive symptoms was examined. Gender and race were also explored in relation to these variables. The data for this study were drawn from an existing data set of 78 children and adolescents, ages 8 to 16, seeking behavioral weight-management treatment, and 71 non-overweight classmates of the obese participants. The average body mass index (BMI [k/m2]) for the target group was greater than the 95th percentile (z=2.43). Control participants were not overweight (BMI ≤ 85th percentile, z=-0.02) and were the same gender, race, and closest in age to the target obese child. No significant differences were identified between obese and non-overweight youth in number of reciprocated friendships, levels of social self-efficacy, or levels of depressive symptoms. Further, the association of obesity status with depressive symptoms and social self-efficacy did not vary by whether or not the participant had a reciprocated friendship, or by gender or race. These findings indicate that obese youth who initiate weight management treatment are not experiencing more depressive symptoms or experiencing a lack of confidence to engage in social interactions relative to their non-overweight peers. Furthermore, despite the literature demonstrating that obese youth are less accepted by their peers, these children do not have fewer reciprocated friendships than their non- overweight classmates.
Janet R. Schultz, Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Chair)
Meg H. Zeller, Ph.D. (Committee Co-Chair)
Norman Barry, Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Member)
98 p.
Clinical Psychology
self-efficacy; overweight children; overweight teenagers; friendship in children; friendship in adolescence; depression in children; depression in adolescence

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Ridel, M.A., S. V. S. (2006). Friendship as a Modifying Factor of Depressive Symptoms and Social Self-Efficacy in Obese and Non-Overweight Children and Adolescents [Doctoral dissertation, Xavier University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1385992942

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Ridel, M.A., Stephanie. Friendship as a Modifying Factor of Depressive Symptoms and Social Self-Efficacy in Obese and Non-Overweight Children and Adolescents. 2006. Xavier University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1385992942.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Ridel, M.A., Stephanie. "Friendship as a Modifying Factor of Depressive Symptoms and Social Self-Efficacy in Obese and Non-Overweight Children and Adolescents." Doctoral dissertation, Xavier University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1385992942

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

xavier1385992942
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© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Xavier University Psychology and OhioLINK.