Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

The Impact of COVID-19 and Changing Peer Network Structures on Disordered Eating Behaviors among Female Undergraduates

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/kk91ft95k

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  • Many female undergraduate students engage in disordered eating, an umbrella term for sub clinical behaviors such as food restriction, binge eating, over exercising, and general preoccupation with food, weight, and body. Depending on the type of behavior and the length of time engaged with the behavior, disordered eating behaviors can impact both physical health and mental health. Disordered eating behaviors are often developed during late adolescence and early adulthood, with the transition to college being particularly salient as aspects of the college environment (e.g., living in dorms, eating in dining halls, and increased academic pressure) can impact disordered eating uptake. Furthermore, this transitional time is also marked by increases in the strength of peer influence. Peer influence of body weight and shape related behaviors can operate through social reinforcement or behavioral modeling of disordered eating behaviors. Additionally, peer network structure, or the connections between an individual and their close friends, can impact peer influence of disordered eating behaviors. The COVID-19 pandemic offers a unique opportunity (i.e., a quasi- natural experimental setting) to explore how changes in peer networks (e.g., social distancing, changes in housing, employment, and general student life) impact disordered eating behaviors among female undergraduate students. This study is a mixed method, cross-sectional study with three elements (i.e., a quantitative survey, qualitative semi-structured focus groups, and qualitative semi-structured individual interviews) requiring primary data collection. Data was collected from female undergraduate students between the ages of 18-25, enrolled at a west coast university campus. To understand the breadth of experiences related to changes in peer network structure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both female undergraduates with disordered eating and without disordered eating were included. Overall participants reported substantial changes in their peer networks through either the gain or loss of close friends, changing intensity of friendships, and changes in communication behaviors and patterns among close friends. Social reinforcement of body and weight related behaviors through body talk increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and served three differential functions: 1) social support, 2) reinforcement of the importance of appearance, 3) increased feelings of isolation or exclusion. Participants’ experiences suggest that behavioral modeling of eating and exercise behaviors was a 4-step process: 1) exposure to a close friend’s weight related behavior, 2) social comparison to a close friend’s body and weight or related behaviors, 3) emotional response to the comparison, and 4) behavior change or intention to change behavior. In addition, to the behavior modeling process, participants indicated that in order to maintain exercise behavior specifically, behavioral modeling in the form of a workout buddy was necessary. Research suggests that peer networks are important for initiating or protecting against disordered eating behaviors. However, the mechanisms of peer networks and what constitutes harmful or healthy peer network relationships still necessitates further exploration. The results of this research elucidate some of the ways that peer networks did influence disordered eating behaviors as well as supporting health protective behaviors such as social support during times of body distress.
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