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Body esteem in adolescent hair pullers
Erin M Altenburger1, Esther S Tung2, Nancy J Keuthen2
1The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Journal of Behavioral Addictions
|September 13, 2014
Summary
Adolescents with trichotillomania (TTM), or chronic hair pulling (HP), experience lower body esteem. This body image issue persists even when anxiety or depression is not present.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Psychology
- Body Image Research
Background:
- Trichotillomania (TTM) commonly emerges during adolescence, a critical period for body image development.
- Previous research has not explored the connection between TTM and body esteem in adolescents.
- Body esteem is a crucial component of psychological well-being during formative adolescent years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between chronic hair pulling (HP) and body esteem in adolescents.
- To determine if HP impacts body esteem independently of comorbid anxiety or depression.
- To examine the influence of HP severity and distress on body esteem.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 49 adolescents diagnosed with TTM or chronic HP and 23 control participants.
- Utilized diagnostic assessments and self-report measures to evaluate hair pulling behaviors and body esteem.
- Employed the Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA) to assess various facets of body image.
Main Results:
- Adolescents with HP reported significantly lower body esteem across all BESAA subscales (appearance, attribution, weight satisfaction) compared to controls.
- The negative impact of HP on body esteem was evident irrespective of comorbid anxiety or depression.
- Greater severity of HP, but not necessarily distress, independently predicted lower body esteem, even when accounting for comorbidities.
Conclusions:
- Chronic hair pulling (HP) is a significant factor contributing to diminished body esteem in adolescents.
- Comorbid anxiety and depression also independently affect body esteem among adolescents with HP.
- Understanding these relationships is vital for developing targeted interventions for adolescent TTM.
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