Supervisors info:
Κολαΐτης Γεράσιμος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Γιαννακόπουλος Γεώργιος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Μπενέτου Βασιλική, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Introduction: Body image dissatisfaction and eating distress emerge from adolescence, becoming significant aspects of teenagers' lives. Body image is a focal point, often accompanied by emotional distress, including feelings of sadness and anxiety when undesirable.
Aim: This study aims to explore eating distress and emotional/behavioral difficulties in a sample of adolescents from the general population.
Methods: Data were collected during the second wave of the cross-cultural international study titled "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Adolescents in 19 Countries" (Global Child and Adolescent Mental Health Study, GCAMHS). The study included 5,372 adolescents from 51 schools nationwide and a mean age of 13.4 years (S.D. 0,97). Emotional difficulties, behavioral problems, body image attitudes, and dietary discomfort were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Body Image and Eating Distress Scale (BIEDS).
Results: The findings of the current study indicate increased total difficulties among girls (M. 15,65, S.D. 6,80). Additionaly, there is an association between negative body image, dietary discomfort, emotional symptoms (β=,22, p<,001), and behavioral problems (β=,10, p<,001), with a negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased body mass index was also associated with dissatisfaction with body image and eating distress OR=3,65 (CI 95% 3,21-4,15).
Conclusions: The increasing needs of the adolescent population are highlighted by reports of a plethora of difficulties they experience in many areas of their lives. Combined with the heightened seeking of external assistance by adolescents themselves, it becomes of paramount importance to identify and intervene in mental health problems promptly, aiming to reduce the negative impact of psychological burden.
Keywords:
Body image, Eating distress, Adolescence, Emotional difficulties, Behavioral problems
