Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

Spring 4-17-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

April 2026

Department

Psychology

College Granting Degree

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Department Granting Degree

Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Brett Laursen

Abstract

The current study focuses on the growth of body dissatisfaction and alcohol misuse, and factors that amplify their interplay. Participants were 221 sixth- and seventh-grade students (118 girls, 103 boys; ages 10–13) attending a public school in Florida. Self-reports and peer nominations were collected at three time points across the course of a school year. Results from parallel process growth models indicated that higher self-reported body dissatisfaction at the beginning of the school year predicted increases in self-reported alcohol misuse across the academic year. Conversely, higher initial alcohol misuse predicted increases in body dissatisfaction. Follow-up analyses revealed that loneliness, low friendship support, low peer acceptance and the relative absence of friends amplified these associations. Findings highlight how initial levels of alcohol misuse may contribute to increasing poor body perceptions and underscore the importance of positive peer relationships as protective factors that may disrupt the downward spiral of poor coping habits as a result of negative emotions.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS