Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

0000-0002-4895-6373

Advisor

McKinney, Cliff

Committee Member

Gardner, Antonio

Committee Member

Kraft, Jennifer

Committee Member

Stafford, Ty

Date of Degree

8-12-2026

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Clinical Psychology

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Psychology

Abstract

The Tripartite Influence Model of body image suggests that multiple sources of appearance-related pressures (i.e., family, peers, significant others, and media) impact body image and disordered eating behaviors via appearance-related comparisons and internalization of body-related ideals (i.e., thin-ideal internalization and muscular-ideal internalization). Previous research has shown support for the Tripartite Influence Model of body image among various demographic groups. The current study identified and examined profiles of emerging adults based on their reported body esteem and body appreciation. Body esteem was measured using the Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA; Mendelson et al., 2001), and body appreciation was measured using the Body Appreciation Scale - 2 (BAS-2; Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015a). The profiles supported by a latent profile analysis were compared across the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire – 4 – Revised (SATAQ-4R; Schaefer et al., 2017) to examine how different profiles compare against tripartite influences. Findings and theoretical rationale supported acceptance of a 5-group solution, which included groups with very low, low, moderate, high, and very high body image. Findings indicated that higher levels of appearance-related pressures and internalization of thin and general attractiveness, but not muscular, ideals tended to be associated with lower body image. Findings also indicated gender differences and significant gender by profile interactions for family appearance-related pressure and general internalization.

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