Parental overcontrol may lead to long-term body dysmorphia concerns
Parental overcontrol may lead to long-term body dysmorphia concerns PsyPost
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Parents’ Excessive Control Linked to Body Image Concerns in Adulthood
Recent research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders has discovered that parents who exhibit excessive control and intrusion in their child’s life may contribute to the development of body image concerns in adulthood.
The Impact of Dysmorphic Concern
Dysmorphic concern, characterized by an intense focus on perceived flaws in appearance and sometimes compulsive-like behaviors (e.g. picking at the skin), can have a significant impact upon physical and mental wellbeing.
While a key symptom of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, dysmorphic concern can also be detected in other various psychiatric and medical contexts, and even more generally in non-clinical individuals who do not have any disorders.
The Role of Parental Overcontrol
Yet, limited research has been conducted on the factors contributing to dysmorphic concern. A recent study has suggested a strong association between dysmorphic concern and childhood trauma, which encompasses various forms of maltreatment, including parental overcontrol.
“Parental overcontrol can be likened to emotional abuse as it exposes the child to the care of a frightened caregiver, a world perceived as always threatening, and a weak and endangered view of self,” described the study authors, who were led by Elena De Rossi from the European University of Rome in Italy.
Research Methodology
To further investigate this association between parental overcontrol and dysmorphic concern in adults, an online survey was conducted with 508 females and 206 males aged 18 to 77 years.
The severity of dysmorphic concern was assessed using the Body Image Concern Inventory questionnaire, parental overcontrol was evaluated by focusing on the “overcontrol” section of the Measure Of Parental Style questionnaire, and finally the exposure to different types of childhood trauma was measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – Short Form.
Sociodemographic and clinical information was also collected, such as tobacco/alcohol use, and the presence of psychiatric/neurological disorders.
Results and Implications
Statistical analyses were conducted, which confirmed that parental overcontrol was associated with the severity of dysmorphic concern. This was found to be an independent association – meaning that the two factors are robustly connected and not dependent on, or influenced by, any other factors.
The authors proposed a theory that could explain this significant relationship, “Parental attitudes of replacing the child in managing his or her own life may create a sense of self characterized by defectiveness, frailty and inadequacy, and may foster perceptions of the world as demanding, threatening, [and] judgmental. Involving body image, these altered internal representations would explain dysmorphic concern through shame, anxiety, and the expectation of social rejection.”
In other words, excessive parental control can lead the child to develop feelings of inadequacy and weakness, resulting in the child perceiving the world as a challenging and critical place from which they seek protection. These altered views ultimately manifest in feelings of embarrassment and anxiety in how they view their own body.
An alternate explanation for the relationship was also hypothesized by the researchers: “parental intrusiveness may undermine the child’s ability to self-identify and manage internal states, leading to automatic dysfunctional strategies to respond to perceived body faultiness and social apprehension”.
Simply put, extreme control and involvement of parents in their children’s lives may not allow their children to learn how to manage their own emotions and thoughts, which may cause the child to develop unhelpful strategies of dealing with their own body image issues and social worries.
Limitations and Conclusion
The authors highlight some limitations. The sex ratio in the study was unbalanced, with a high proportion of females undergoing the study (71%). The study design also relied on retrospective self-report measures. That is, participants were asked to recall past experiences from memory, which may have elements of bias.
Nevertheless, these findings have significant implications for prevention policies and clinical interventions, emphasizing the importance of evaluating parenting behavior and parent-child relationships in individuals with high levels of dysmorphic concern.
The study, “Parental overcontrol is associated with dysmorphic concern severity: A cross-sectional study”, was authored by Elena De Ross, Benedetto Farina, Mauro Adenzato, Giuseppe Alessio Carbone, Rita B. Ardito and Claudio Imperatori.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | – Severity of dysmorphic concern measured by the Body Image Concern Inventory questionnaire – Presence of psychiatric/neurological disorders |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation | – Association between dysmorphic concern and childhood trauma, including parental overcontrol |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | – Association between dysmorphic concern and childhood trauma, including parental overcontrol |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article discusses the impact of dysmorphic concern on physical and mental well-being. This aligns with SDG 3, which aims to promote good health and well-being for all.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
The article mentions that the study included 508 females and 206 males. The findings regarding dysmorphic concern and parental overcontrol can contribute to understanding gender differences and promoting gender equality.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article highlights the association between dysmorphic concern and childhood trauma, including parental overcontrol. This relates to SDG 16, which aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence against children.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
The article emphasizes the impact of dysmorphic concern on mental well-being. Addressing parental overcontrol and its contribution to dysmorphic concern can help achieve this target.
Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
The study suggests an association between dysmorphic concern and childhood trauma, including parental overcontrol. By addressing these factors, progress can be made towards eliminating violence against women and girls.
Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
The article highlights the potential impact of parental overcontrol as a form of emotional abuse. Addressing this issue can contribute to achieving the target of ending abuse and violence against children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Severity of dysmorphic concern measured by the Body Image Concern Inventory questionnaire
- Presence of psychiatric/neurological disorders
- Association between dysmorphic concern and childhood trauma, including parental overcontrol
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | – Severity of dysmorphic concern measured by the Body Image Concern Inventory questionnaire – Presence of psychiatric/neurological disorders |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation | – Association between dysmorphic concern and childhood trauma, including parental overcontrol |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | – Association between dysmorphic concern and childhood trauma, including parental overcontrol |
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Source: psypost.org
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