Exploring the reciprocal associations between body appreciation, body image flexibility, and body acceptance by others in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: Results from cross-lagged panel analyses among women and men

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a context associated with negative consequences for body image and eating behavior. However, little is known about what factors helped to mitigate these consequences and build a positive body image. Previous research pointed to the significance of body image flexibility and perceived body acceptance by others in predicting body appreciation. However, as most of the studies have been cross-sectional, causal relationships are poorly understood. This longitudinal study tested the reciprocal association between body appreciation, body image flexibility, and perceived body acceptance by others during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. We analyzed data from a large community sample consisting of 1436 women and 704 men who were invited to complete the study measures (BAS-2, BI-AAQ-5, BAOS-2) at three time points, each approximately six months apart. Latent cross-lagged panel analyses revealed that greater T1 body appreciation predicted an increase in T2 body image flexibility among both genders, while for women, we additionally observed reciprocal effects between T2 and T3. Among both genders, we further found that greater body appreciation predicted increased perceived body acceptance by others over both measurement intervals (but not vice versa). Our findings are discussed in light of pandemical constraints during the studies' assessments.

Cross-lagged relations between motives and substance use: Can use strengthen your motivation over time?

Motives for substance use have garnered considerable attention due to the strong predictive utility of this construct, both in terms of use and problems associated with use. The current study examined the cross-lagged relations between alcohol use and motives, and marijuana use and motives over three yearly assessment periods in a large sample (N=526, 48% male) of college students. The relations between substance use and motives were assessed at each time point, allowing for the examination of these inter-relations over time. Results indicated different trends based on the type of substance. For alcohol use, cross-lagged trends were found between freshman and sophomore year for coping, social, and conformity motives with cross-lagged relations between enhancement motives and alcohol use across all years. However, outside of enhancement motives, cross-lagged relations were not found between sophomore and junior year. In contrast, cross-lagged effects were found for marijuana use and coping, enhancement, and expansion motives between sophomore and junior year, but not freshman year. These results suggest that people's expectations that drinking or smoking marijuana makes activities more reinforcing and helps them cope with distress may perpetuate use. In turn, use itself may enhance these expectations over time. Results have direct implications for treatment, with recommended focus on motives, behavior activation, and healthy coping skills in order to interrupt the cycle of substance use.