Acceptance and Body Dissatisfaction: Examining the Efficacy of a Brief Acceptance Based Intervention for Body Dissatisfaction in College Women.

Abstract

Body dissatisfaction among college women is concerning given its high prevalence and associated negative consequences. While cognitive-behavioral approaches to reducing body dissatisfaction have considerable support, it may be beneficial to target the problematic relationship that some individuals have with their internal experiences. To examine the relative efficacy of an acceptance-based compared to a cognitive restructuring approach to targeting body dissatisfaction. College women were randomly assigned to an acceptance (n = 21), cognitive restructuring (n = 21) or a neutral comparison condition (n = 24). Participants completed a body dissatisfaction challenge postintervention and their dissatisfaction, distress about body-related thoughts and emotions, and the extent they felt defined by their outward appearance were measured. Both approaches provided a protective effect against decreases in body satisfaction and related feelings. Acceptance and CBT approaches to treating body dissatisfaction are worthy of future investigation.