Childhood trauma and body dissatisfaction among young adult women: the mediating role of self-criticism

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between childhood trauma and body dissatisfaction among young women. The mechanisms through which childhood trauma are related to body dissatisfaction have not been sufficiently examined previously. The aims of the present study were to analyze the (i) relationships between childhood trauma, self-criticism, and body dissatisfaction and (ii) mediating role of self-criticism in the relationship between childhood trauma and body dissatisfaction. A total of 754 young adult women aged 18 to 30 years participated (M = 20.49 years; SD = 2.28). The findings showed positive correlations between childhood trauma, self-criticism, and body dissatisfaction. The mediation model indicated that (i) greater childhood trauma was associated with greater self-criticism, and (ii) greater self-criticism was significantly associated with greater body dissatisfaction. Therefore, childhood trauma was indirectly associated with increased body dissatisfaction and explained by the positive relationship with increased self-criticism. These results highlight the importance of childhood trauma in body dissatisfaction among young adult women and demonstrates self-criticism coping style as a key factor in this relationship. Early detection of self-criticism-based coping styles and childhood trauma could improve (i) quality of life and prevent the onset of body dissatisfaction, and (ii) treatment planning and prevent body dissatisfaction from escalating into major problems (e.g., eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, morbid exercise and/or depressive symptomatology).