Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
The relationships between fat talk, body dissatisfaction, and drive for thinness: perceived stress as a moderator
Cortney S Warren1, Samuel Holland, Hilary Billings
1Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154-5030, USA. cortney.warren@unlv.edu
Abstract:
Although body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness are commonplace in college-aged women, their relationships with fat talk and stress are understudied. This study examined (a) whether fat talk predicts body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness and (b) whether stress moderates these relationships. Results from self-report questionnaires completed by 121 female college students revealed that fat talk and perceived stress were significantly positively correlated with body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness. Although fat talk was a significant independent predictor of body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness, stress moderated these relationships such that they were stronger at lower stress levels. Although contrary to predictions, these results are logical when means are considered. Results suggest that fat talk positively predicts body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness in students with relatively lower stress levels, but does not for students under high stress because mean levels of these constructs are all already high.
Related Concept Videos
Psychological Responses to Stress
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison

