Cited by 50Child Abuse and TraumaEating Disorders and BehaviorsBody Image and Dysmorphia Studies

Is Childhood Maltreatment Associated with Body Image Disturbances in Adulthood? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Bödicker, Christine, Reinckens, Jonas, Höfler, Michael, Hoyer, Jürgen·2022·Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to synthesize the evidence for an association between childhood maltreatment and body image disturbances in adulthood. Information on maltreatment subtypes and mediator variables was included to gain further insights into the mechanisms of the association. In addition, we aimed to examine the role of body image disturbances in the development of negative mental health outcomes associated with childhood maltreatment. Methods: Based on a comprehensive search strategy, eligible studies were identified in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The eligibility assessment was performed by two reviewers, and 132 articles were studied full-text. To reduce heterogeneity, only non-clinical samples were included in the meta-analysis. A meta-regression was computed to examine the influence of maltreatment subtype on body image disturbances. Results: Our results provide evidence for a robust association between childhood maltreatment and cognitive-affective body image, both in clinical and community samples. Included studies ( N = 40) indicate that body image disturbances are especially pronounced in individuals suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after childhood maltreatment. The meta-analysis included 12 studies with a total of 15.481 participants, and indicates a small overall effect size (r = 0.21, 95% CI = [0.16, 0.26], p < .001). Meta-regression revealed no significant impact of maltreatment subtype in non-clinical samples. Conclusion: Childhood maltreatment should be considered as a distal risk factor for the development of a negative cognitive-affective body image. We argue for future longitudinal studies which allow a better understanding of the pathways linking childhood maltreatment, body image disturbances and associated psychopathology.

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  • Emotional trauma survivors (including those with early childhood trauma) may be particularly vulnerable to having a negative body image as adults or adolescents.

    “Emotional trauma survivors (including those with early childhood trauma) may be particularly vulnerable to having a negative body image as adults or adolescents.”

    From The Groundswell Community Surf Therapy Intervention for At-Risk Women and Changes in Body Acceptance, Resilience, and Emotional Regulation (2024) · cites this paper as [42]

    The Discussion identifies childhood maltreatment as a risk factor for negative body image, supporting the claim for adults with that history. But the Methods’ inclusion criteria limit the review to body image outcomes in adults after childhood maltreatment; they do not establish the same vulnerability in adolescents or in survivors of emotional trauma more generally. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Authors
Bödicker, C., Reinckens, J., Höfler, M., & Hoyer, J.
Affiliations
Technische Universität Dresden (DE)
Venue
Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma
Published
2021-08-07
Volume
15
Issue
3
Pages
523-538
ISSN
  • 1936-1521 (ISSN-L)
  • 1936-153X
OpenAlex
W3189961504
Cited by
50
References
153
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 2
FWCI
0.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (01KR1801A)
  • Technische Universität Dresden
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
Keywords
child abuse, body image disturbance, post-traumatic stress disorder, maltreatment subtypes, non-clinical sample

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