Some trends in modern research of psychosomatic associations in adolescents (based on publications in foreign journals)

Abstract

Introduction. The article presents an overview of the results of studies in associations between physical and psychological status of adolescents, published in English-language journals over recent years. The analysis carried out outlines the main directions of current research in this area and allows Russian specialists to be acquainted with the problems and approaches to their solution practiced today by foreign colleagues.

Material and methods. We selected publications that contain the results of studies of representative samples of adolescents from different countries and different ethnicities. Such an approach, on the one hand, makes it possible to highlight problems that are relevant today for adolescents in general, regardless of the place of study, and on the other hand, to outline some regional differences in the characteristics and dynamics of psychosomatic associations.

Results. Modern studies of the connections between the physical and mental status of adolescents highlight the importance of self-esteem of their appearance, primarily of body weight, and related psychological problems: general disorders in the emotional and behavioral sphere, the influence of unrealistic models of appearance as a trigger for eating disorders behavior, decreased self-esteem, difficulties in relationships with peers and family. The authors propose various strategies for adolescents’ acceptance of their own body image and discuss the effectiveness of these strategies. A new and promising area of research seems to be the study of the influence on adolescents by social networks.

Conclusion. The wide range of problems associated with the physical and mental health of adolescents requires the further development of interdisciplinary research, taking into account the main trends identified in publications of foreign scientific journals. © 2025. This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license

References

Bakholdina V.Yu., Stupina K.S., Kovilin V.A. Constitutional type and self-esteem in children and adolescent]. Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin [Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya XXIII. Antropologiya], 2010, 2, pp. 44–54. (In Russ.).

Bakholdina V.Yu, Blagova K.N., Samorodova M.A. Age and gender aspects of psychosomatic relations (from data of the three Moscow samples of adolescents and students). Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin [Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya XXIII. Antropologiya], 2017, 1, pp. 57–65. (In Russ.).

Borozdina L.V. The essence of self-esteem and its relationship with self-concept. Veztnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya XIV. Psihologija [Moscow University Psychology Bulletin], 2014, 1, pp. 54–65. (In Russ.).

Zadorozhnaja L.V., Romashko K.S., Godina E.Z. Gender, ethnicity and age aspects of body image perception in school-age children. Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin [Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya XXIII. Antropologiya], 2019, 3, pp. 47–58. (In Russ.).

Molchanova O.N. Self-esteem. Theoretical problems and empirical studies. Moscow, Flinta Publ., 2021. 392 p. (In Russ.).

Hafizova A.A. Ideals of body beauty and temporary changes in somatic indicators of modern youth. Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin [Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya XXIII. Antropologiya], 2021, 3, pp. 161–162. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2021-3/161-182.

Asgeirsdottir B.B., Ingolfsdottir G., Sigfusdottir I.D. Body image trends among Icelandic adolescents:
A cross-sectional national study from 1997 to 2010. Body Image, 2012, 9, pp. 404–408. DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2012.02.002.

Beckers D., Larsen J.K., Burk W.J. Self-esteem and negative affectivity as mediators of the prospective links between adolescent interpersonal peer problems and disordered eating behaviors. Appetite, 2023, 186, е106558. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106558..

Bianchi D., Schinelli A., Fatta L.M., Lonigro A., et al. Body image impact on quality of life and adolescents’ binge eating: the indirect role of body image coping strategies. Eat. Weight Disord., 2023, 28 (1), 75. DOI: 10.1007/s40519-023-01607-7. 

Brand M., Wegmann E., Stark R., Müller A., Wölfling K. et al. The Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution [I-PACE] model for addictive behaviors: Update, generalization to addictive behaviors beyond internet-use disorders, and specification of the process character of addictive behaviors. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev., 2019, 104, pp. 1-10. DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.06.032.

Cabaco A.S., Urchaga J.D., Guevara R.M., Moral-García J.E. Psychopathological Risk Factors Associated with Body Image, Body Dissatisfaction and Weight-Loss Dieting in School-Age Adolescents. Children, 2021, 8 (2), 105. DOI: 10.3390/children8020105.

Cash T.F., Santos M.T. Williams E.F. Coping with body-image threats and challenges: validation of the Body Image Coping Strategies Inventory. J. Psychosom. Res., 2005, 58 (2), pp. 190-199. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2004.07.008. PMID: 15820848.

Chen D.R., Lin L.Y., Levin B. Differential pathways to disordered eating for immigrant and native adolescents in Taiwan. J. Eat. Disord., 2023, 11 (1), 54. DOI: 10.1186/s40337-023-00781-4.

Cohen R., Newton-John T., Slater A. The case for body positivity on social media: Perspectives on current advances and future directions. J. Health Psychol., 2021, 26, pp. 2365–2373. DOI: 1177/1359105320912450.

Cox J.S., Iturbe I., Searle A., Maiz E., Hinton E.C. The acceptability, feasibility and preliminary efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy for adolescents in the management of overweight or obesity: A scoping review. J. Context. Beh. Sci., 2024, 31, е100713. DOI: 1016/j.jcbs.2023.11.004.

Danneel S., Maes M., Vanhalst J., Bijttebier P., Goossens L. Developmental change in loneliness and attitudes toward aloneness in adolescence. J. Youth Adoles., 2018, 47 (1), pp. 148–161. DOI: 10.1007/s10964-017-0685-5.

Elia C., Karamanos A., Silva M.J., O'Connor M., Lu Y. et al. Weight misperception and psychological symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood: longitudinal study of an ethnically diverse UK cohort. BMC Public Health, 2020, 20 (1), 712. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08823-1.

Ferriter C., Ray L.A. Binge eating and binge drinking: an integrative review. Eat Behav., 2011, 12 (2), pp. 99-107. DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2011.01.001.

Fismen A.S., Galler M., Klepp K.I., Chatelan A., Residori C. et al. Weight Status and Mental Well-Being Among Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Self-Perceived Body Weight. A Cross-National Survey. J. Adolesc. Health, 2022, 71 (2), pp. 187-195. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.02.010.

Gong W.J., Fong D.Y.T., Wang M.P., Lam T.H., et al. Late-onset or chronic overweight/obesity predicts low self-esteem in early adolescence: a longitudinal cohort study. BMC Public Health, 2022, 22, 31. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12381-5.

Goodman R. Psychometric properties of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2001, 40 (11), pp. 1337-1345. DOI: 10.1097/00004583-200111000-00015.

Gu W., Yu X., Tan Y., Yu Z., Zhu J. Association between weight, weight perception, weight teasing and mental health among adolescents. Child. Adolesc. Psychiatry Ment. Health, 2024, 18 (1), 39. DOI: 10.1186/s13034-024-00730-2.

Hammami N., Patte K., Battista K., Livermore M., Leatherdale S.T. Examining the role that weight perception and social influences have on mental health among youth in the COMPASS study. Soc. Psychiatr. Epidemiol., 2022, 57 (8), pp. 1671-1684. DOI: 10.1007/s00127-022-02219-9.

Ingolfsdottir G., Asgeirsdottir B.B., Gunnarsdottir T., Bjornsson A.S. Changes in body image and dieting among 16–19-year-old Icelandic students from 2000 to 2010. Body Image, 2014, 11, pp. 364–369. DOI:10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.05.006.

Kang M., Lee J., Lee A. The effects of college students’ perfectionism on career stress and indecision: self-esteem and coping styles as moderating variables. Asia Pacific Education Review, 2020, 21, pp. 227–243. DOI: 10.1007/s12564-019-09609-w.

Krause L., Poulain T., Kiess W., Vogel M. Body image and behavioural and emotional difficulties in German children and adolescents. BMC Pediatr., 2023, 23(1), 594. DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04405-3.

Lee-Winn A.E., Reinblatt S.P., Mojtabai R., Mendelson T. Gender and racial/ethnic differences in binge eating symptoms in a nationally representative sample of adolescents in the United States. Eat Behav., 2016, 22, pp. 27-33. DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2016.03.021.

Lewer M., Bauer A., Hartmann A.S., Vocks S. Different Facets of Body Image Disturbance in Binge Eating Disorder: A Review. Nutrients, 2017, 9 (12), 1294. DOI: 10.3390/nu9121294.

Lin J-P. Tradition and Progress: Taiwan’s Evolving Migration Reality. 2012. Available at: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/tradition-and-progress-taiwans-evolving-migration-reality. Accessed 22 June 2024.

Lin J., Wang D., Wang W., Chen H., Lin W. et al. Concurrent and longitudinal associations of dissatisfaction with height and weight, body mass index with sleep disturbance among adolescents in China. Eur. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2024. DOI: 10.1007/s00787-024-02499-3.

Litmanen J., Fröjd S., Marttunen M., Isomaa R., Kaltiala-Heino R. Are eating disorders and their symptoms increasing in prevalence among adolescent population? Nord. J. Psychiatry, 2017, 71 (1), pp. 61-66. DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2016.1224272.

Maezono J., Hamada S., Sillanmäki L., Kaneko H., Ogura M. et al. Cross-cultural, population-based study on adolescent body image and eating distress in Japan and Finland. Scand. J. Psychol., 2019, 60 (1), pp. 67-76. DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12485.

Martin B.C., Dalton W.T., Williams S.L., Slawson D.L., et al. Weight status misperception as related to selected health risk behaviors among middle school students. J. Sch. Health, 2014, 84 (2), pp. 116-123. DOI: 10.1111/josh.12128.

Mathew P., Krishnan R. Impact of problematic internet use on the self-esteem of adolescents in the selected school, Kerala, India. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 2020, 34 (3), pp. 122-128. DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2020.02.008.

Méndez M.L., PadrónV., Fumero A., Marrero R.J. Effects of internet and smartphone addiction on cognitive control in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review of fMRI studies. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2024, 159, 105572. DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105572.

Mishina K., Kronström K., Heinonen E., Sourander A. Body dissatisfaction and dieting among Finnish adolescents: a 20-year population-based time-trend study. Eur. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2024. DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02327-0.

Mo P.K.H., Chan V.W.Y., Wang X., Lau J.T.F. Gender difference in the association between internet addiction, self-esteem and academic aspirations among adolescents: A structural equation modelling. Computers & Education, 2020, 155 (1), 103921. DOI:10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103921. 

Öz B., Kıvrak A.C. Evaluation of depression, anxiety symptoms, emotion regulation difficulties, and self-esteem in children and adolescents with obesity. Archives de Pédiatrie, 2023, 30 (4), pp. 226-231. DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2023.02.003.

Ozimek P., Lainas S., Bierhoff H.W., Rohmann E. How photo editing in social media shapes self-perceived attractiveness and self-esteem via self-objectification and physical appearance comparisons. BMC Psychol., 2023, 11 (1), 99. DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01143-0.

Pan C.H., Lee M.B., Wu C.Y., Liao S.C., et al. Suicidal ideation, psychopathology, and help-seeking in 15 to 19-year-old adolescents in Taiwan: A population-based study 2015-2019. J. Affect Disord., 2021, 282, pp. 846-851. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.139.

Park Y.W., Gentzler A.L. Parenting and courage: Exploring the mediating role of self-esteem and emotion regulation among adolescents. J. Applied Develop. Psychol., 2023, 87, 101558. DOI: 10.1016/j.appdev.2023.101558.

Pasch K.E., Klein E.G., Laska M.N., Velazquez C.E., Moe S. et al. Weight misperception and health risk behaviors among early adolescents. Am. J. Health Behav., 2011, 35 (6), pp.797-806. DOI: 10.5993/ajhb.35.6.15.

Patte K.A., Livermore M., Qian W., Leatherdale S.T. Do weight perception and bullying victimization account for links between weight status and mental health among adolescents? BMC Public Health, 2021, 21(1), 1062. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11037-8.

Price J., Drabick D.A.G., Ridenour T.A. Association With Deviant Peers Across Adolescence: Subtypes, Developmental Patterns, and Long-Term Outcomes. J. Clin. Child Adolesc. Psychol., 2019, 48 (2), pp. 238-249. DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2017.1405351.

Qin T.T., Xiong H.G., Yan M.M., Sun T., et al Body Weight Misperception and Weight Disorders among Chinese Children and Adolescents: A Latent Class Analysis. Curr Med Sci, 2019, 39 (5), pp. 852-862. DOI: 10.1007/s11596-019-2116-1.

Riahi R., Motlagh M.E., Heshmat R., Qorbani M., et al. Body Weight Misperception and Psychological Distress Among Children and Adolescents: The CASPIAN-V Study. Osong Public Health Res. Perspect., 2019, 10 (5), pp. 315-324. DOI: 10.24171/j.phrp.2019.10.5.08.

Roberts R.E., Duong H.T. Perceived weight, not obesity, increases risk for major depression among adolescents. J. Psychiatr. Res., 2013, 47 (8), pp. 1110-1117. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.03.019.

Rosenberg M. Self Esteem and the Adolescent: Society and the Adolescent Self-Image. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J., 1965. 326 p.

Saari A., Sankilampi U., Hannila M.L., Kiviniemi V., et al. New Finnish growth references for children and adolescents aged 0 to 20 years: Length/height-for-age, weight-for-length/height, and body mass index-for-age. Ann. Med., 2011, 43 (3), pp. 235-48. DOI: 10.3109/07853890.2010.515603.

Sarfika R., Saifudin I.M.M.Y., Oktavianto E. Self-concept among Indonesian adolescents in coastal areas: A cross-sectional study. Belitung Nurs. J., 2023, 9 (3), pp. 262-270. DOI: 10.33546/bnj.2662.

Saunders J.F., Nutter S., Waugh R., Hayden K.A. Testing body-related components of objectification theory: A meta-analysis of the relations between body shame, self-objectification, and body dissatisfaction. Body Image, 2024, 50, 101738. DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101738.

Shi H., Zhao H., Ren Z., Li X, et al. Associations of parent-adolescent relationship and self-esteem with emotional and behavioral problems among Chinese adolescents, J. Affective Disorders, 2022, 311, pp. 126-13. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.05.078.

Skrove M., Lydersen S., Indredavik M.S. Resilience factors may moderate the associations between pubertal timing, body mass and emotional symptoms in adolescence. Acta Paediatr., 2016, 105 (1), pp. 96-104. DOI: 10.1111/apa.13171.

 Spettigue W., Obeid N., Santos A., Norris M., Hamati R. et al. Binge eating and social anxiety in treatment-seeking adolescents with eating disorders or severe obesity. Eat Weight Disord., 2020, 25 (3), pp. 787-793. DOI: 10.1007/s40519-019-00689-6.

Steinsbekk S., Wichstrøm L., Stenseng F., Nesi J., et al. The impact of social media use on appearance self-esteem from childhood to adolescence – A 3-wave community study. Computers in Human Behavior, 2021, 114, 106528. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2020.106528. 

Thurston I.B., Sonneville K.R., Milliren C.E., Kamody R.C. Gooding H.C., Richmond T.K. Cross-sectional and Prospective Examination of Weight Misperception and Depressive Symptoms Among Youth with Overweight and Obesity. Prev. Sci, 2017, 18 (2), pp. 152-163. DOI: 10.1007/s11121-016-0714-8.

Tiggemann M., Anderberg I., Brown Z. Uploading your best self: Selfie editing and body dissatisfaction. Body Image, 2020, 33, pp. 175-182. DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.03.002.

Timeo S., Riva P., Paladino M.P. Being liked or not being liked: A study on social-media exclusion in a preadolescent population. J. Adolescence, 2020, 80, pp. 173-181. DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.02.010.

Wu W.C., Wu J.CL., Chiang T.L. Variation in the association between socioeconomic status and breastfeeding practices by immigration status in Taiwan: a population based birth cohort study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2015, 15, 298. DOI: 10.1186/s12884-015-0732-8.

Yang H.J., Kuo Y.J., Wang L., Yang C.Y. Culture, parenting, and child behavioral problems: a comparative study of cross-cultural immigrant families and native-born families in Taiwan. Transcult. Psychiatry, 2014, 51 (4), pp. 526-44. DOI: 10.1177/1363461514532306.

Yu K., Perez M. The association between maternal criticism and body dissatisfaction on disordered eating pathology across racial and ethnic groups. Cultur. Divers. Ethnic Minor. Psychol., 2020, 26 (1), pp. 61-70. DOI: 10.1037/cdp0000277.