Secure Attachment to Friends and its Association with Body Appreciation

Abstract: In recent years, researchers have become interested in the concept of a positive body image. Interpersonal relationships influence the acceptance and appreciation of the body. However, prior studies on positive body image has almost exclusively focused on studying general instead of specific relationships. The present study sought to investigate whether the association between secure attachment to friends and body appreciation is moderated by the personality trait Extraversion in young adults. The participants were 194 men and women aged 18 to 25 years (M = 22, SD = 1.78) who completed a questionnaire measuring body appreciation, secure attachment to friends and Extraversion. The results of a hierarchal regression showed that secure attachment to friends did not predict body appreciation and that Extraversion did not have a moderating effect. Extraversion was, however, positively associated with body appreciation, above and beyond the effect of sex, BMI and parental socioeconomic status. These findings contribute to a richer understanding of the potential advantages of including Extraversion when studying body image in young adults.