(PS8-B43) The Indirect Effects of Parental Factors and Overprotection on Body- image in Emerging Adults via Self-compassion and Self-coldness

Prior research has shown that parental warmth and overprotection associated with outcomes in emerging adult offspring (Baker & Hoerger, 2012). Previous research also indicated that self-compassion associated positively with positive body image (Turk & Walker, 2020) and with parental warmth (Wright et al., 2017). Relatedly, parental overprotection had an indirect effect on adolescent body appreciation via self-compassion (Chen et al., 2020). Although less research has examined self-compassion and self-coldness individually, findings indicate that they may be separate constructs (Neff, 2003). Research has shown that self-coldness was negatively associated with positive outcomes; however, less research has examined the effects related to body image specifically. Thus, the current study examined the indirect effects of parental warmth and overprotection on emerging adult body appreciation via self-compassion and self-coldness.

The current sample consisted of 841 participants (55.3% women; 78.8% White) attending a large southern United States university. Participants ranged from 18-28 years of age (M = 18.88, SD = 1.35) and completed online self-report measures, including the Parental Bonding Instrument to measure parental warmth and overprotection, the Self-Compassion Scale to measure self-compassion and self-coldness, and the Body Appreciation Scale – 2 to measure positive body image.

Results for women indicated direct effects of maternal and paternal care on self-coldness (maternal b = -.12, paternal b = -.20) and self-compassion (maternal b = .19, paternal b = .12), as well as direct effects of maternal overprotection on self-compassion, b = -.13. Both women and men indicated direct effects on body appreciation of paternal care (b = .15 for women, b = .12 for men), self-coldness (b = -.21 for women, b = -.23 for men), and self-compassion (b = .45 for women, b = .32 for men). Results indicated an indirect effect of maternal overprotection on body appreciation via self-compassion (b = -.08), and of maternal (b = .11) and paternal (b = .10) care via self-compassion and self-coldness in women. Pairwise parameter comparisons indicated the mediating effect of self-compassion was stronger than self-coldness for maternal care, Z = 3.57, whereas the effect of self-coldness was stronger for paternal care, Z = 3.82. For men, no significant indirect effects were found. Regarding gender differences, the effects of self-compassion, Z = -2.14, and paternal overprotection, Z = -2.56, on body appreciation were higher in women, whereas the effects of maternal care on self-coldness, Z = 2.07, and of maternal overprotection on body appreciation were higher in men, Z = 2.28.

Parenting factors can influence body image in emerging adults through self-compassion and self-coldness. Additionally, significant gender differences for both parents and emerging adults were found. Thus, findings can inform clinicians and parents of factors affecting body image in emerging adults. Limitations include sampling bias due to a college sample and use of self-report measures. Future research should examine variables in more diverse populations, such as ethnic and sexual minorities and among broader age ranges.