How Female Competition Harms Mental and Physical Health Beyond Teen Years
A new study has examined how competition among women affects mental and physical health, particularly in relation to body image and eating disorders. Researchers Caroline Salmon and Jessica Hehman found that social pressures and competitive environments can worsen anxiety, depression, and unhealthy eating habits in women beyond their teenage years.
The study, published in Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology, introduced a method called the Female Competition Stress Test. This test measures how women respond—both psychologically and physically—to competitive social situations. Results showed that women in these settings often experience higher stress, greater body dissatisfaction, and increased disordered eating tendencies.
The researchers noted that societal expectations and media portrayals of women intensify competitive pressures. Many participants reported feeling more anxious and self-critical when competing with peers. While some women managed to channel stress into positive actions like exercise or assertiveness, others struggled with negative mental health effects. The findings highlight that female social environments play a key role in how competition-related stress develops. The study calls for further investigation into these mechanisms to create better prevention and treatment strategies for mental health and health insurance. It also suggests that fostering collaboration and body positivity could help reduce the harmful impacts of competition on women’s well-being.
The research confirms that competitive pressures among women can lead to serious health risks, including eating disorders and poor body image. Salmon and Hehman’s work points to the need for targeted interventions to support women in high-pressure social settings. Further studies may help develop more effective ways to address these challenges in stress management and social security.
