Mothers' and daughters' beliefs about factors affecting preadolescent girls' body satisfaction

Body dissatisfaction is common in preadolescent girls. In this qualitative study, preadolescent girls (N=145) wrote descriptions of factors that made them feel good and bad about their bodies. Their mothers (N=145) also wrote about factors they believed made their daughters feel good and bad about their bodies. Statements were coded using thematic analysis. Chi-square analyses examined mother-daughter dyad agreement, and differences in influential factors based on ethnic identity. Despite general agreement in overall themes, results indicated limited agreement within mother-daughter dyads. Specifically, one significant result was detected: mothers and their daughters agreed on the importance of teasing as a negative influence on body satisfaction. There was one significant difference based on ethnic identity, with Hispanic girls mentioning more frequently than White girls that physical activity/exercise helped them feel good about their bodies. Recommendations are made for family-based interventions to support the body image of preadolescent girls.