Feedback, feelings, and function: Interpersonal contexts and body image in adolescent girls' sport

Participation in sport during adolescence offers numerous physical and psychosocial benefits, yet many girls disengage, often due to body image concerns. Body-related self-conscious emotions-such as shame, guilt, envy, embarrassment, and pride-may influence sport experiences and participation, but little is known about how the interpersonal sport context shapes these emotions. This study examined how 12 dimensions of the interpersonal sport context were associated with body-related self-conscious emotions among adolescent girl athletes, drawing on the tripartite influence model of body image and self-conscious emotion theory. A sample of adolescent girls (N = 215; M_age = 16.09 ± 1.39) with 7.02 (± 3.43) years in community sports completed validated measures of the interpersonal sport context and body-related emotions. The associations between the interpersonal sport context and self-conscious emotions were tested in a path model. Positive Ability Information was positively associated with authentic and hubristic pride and negatively associated with negative body-related emotions. In contrast, Social Interactions, Pressure-Expectations, Negative Ability Information, and Comparison-Competition were associated with higher levels of negative emotions. Support and Encouragement was linked to lower levels of guilt and embarrassment, whereas Performance and Winning was associated with higher embarrassment and lower authentic pride. The model accounted for 19-39% of the variance in body-related emotions. Findings underscore the importance of constructive interpersonal feedback and supportive sport environments in promoting positive emotional experiences and reducing body-related distress among adolescent girls. Emphasizing ability-based encouragement and functionality appreciation, rather than appearance and comparison, may foster sustained participation and well-being in sport for girls.