Attachment Theory Self Compassion and Body Image

Abstract

Body image reflects one’s mental image of one’s physical body and one’s attitude towards the physical self. Recent developments in emotion regulation research underline the importance of self-compassion in accepting self and others. Similarly, attachment experiences influence how the view of self and others developed and transferred from childhood to adulthood. According to the current research adverse attachment experiences are linked to low self-compassion. The individual differences in the development of self-compassion require further examination. Thus this paper reviews the literature to establish the possible link between these constructs and guide researchers for further research and inform clinicians about self-compassion and attachment styles relationship with body image.