Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology

First Advisor

William Buhrow, PsyD

Second Advisor

Nahanni Freeman, PhD

Third Advisor

Scott Burkhart, PsyD

Abstract

The present study investigated factors that influence body image in collegiate athletes before and after competition. Existing research has focused on factors such as sex differences and aesthetic versus non-aesthetic sports, but there is limited research on factors such as an athlete’s view of their performance, the weight pressures an athlete faces from external supports, and the interplay of these variables. Participants (n = 53) filled out a questionnaire 24 hours prior to, and following, a competition. They rated body image disturbance, subjective performance satisfaction, and weight pressures from external systems. Results showed a relationship between body image disturbance and weight pressures in sports before a competition for female athletes, but not for male athletes. Higher subjective performance satisfaction for males was correlated with lower body image disturbance. For female athletes, weight pressures predicted post- competition body image disturbance. For male athletes, subjective performance satisfaction evaluations predicted post-competition body image disturbance. Also, there were differences in body image disturbance between males and females prior to, but not following, a competition. Finally, cheerleading/stunt showed significantly more body image disturbance compared to the other sports in this study.

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