THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS' HEALTH STATUS AND BODY IMAGE OF THEIR CHILDREN

Author:
  • MOMarya Olgas
    Marya Olgas
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Abstract
This study of the relationship between parents' health status and the development of body image of their children investigated the relationship between body image and identification. The sample group consisted of 124 children who had visibly disabled (multiple sclerotic) parents and a control group of 60 children with healthy parents. Three instruments were used as a measure of body image. The data were subjected to statistical analysis in reference to five hypotheses. Body image distortion was demonstrated to he significantly greater in girls with multiple sclerotic mothers than in girls with multiple sclerotic fathers. Girls with multiple sclerotic mothers displayed significantly greater body-image distortion than did hoys with multiple sclerotic mothers. Thus, the premise that identification with the like-sex parent was supported in relation to two of the hypotheses.