Abstract
The goal of this study was to investigate the role of the subjective assessment of one's body image in the relationship between objective indices of appearance and perceived stigma in young women affected by obesity and psoriasis. These are chronic diseases that decrease one's physical attractiveness and are associated with stigmas related to body defects. A total of 188 women in early adulthood took part in the study (M = 25.58; SD = 2.90), including obese women (n = 54), women suffering from psoriasis (n = 57), and a control group (n = 77). The participants completed the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, Perceived Stigmatisation Questionnaire, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Anthropometric data were gathered using a body composition analyzer. Objective parameters of body shape were calculated (WHR and ICO). Subjective assessment of one's body and attitudes towards one's body were found to influence perceived stigma, independently of the condition causing the stigma and of the objective appearance of the participant. This study did not support the existence of a relationship between parameters regarding body shape and sense of stigma, even when subjective body assessment acted as a moderator. At the same time, body mass was a strong predictor of levels of perceived stigma. Women affected with obesity perceived a higher level of stigma than the other groups. The severity of psoriasis did not impact the perceived stigma. Moreover, women with psoriasis assessed their health—as a part of the assessment of their bodies—the highest, which may explain the lower perceived stigma in this group.
Highlights
Body image, assessment of one’s body, and attitudes towards one’s body are important elements of the development of the “self ” [1]
Despite the fact that these conditions often co-occur [62], we focused on groups of women with only obesity [as per WHO Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30, n = 54; [61]] or psoriasis
Parameters regarding body mass and BMI were the highest in the group of women affected with obesity (Dunn post hoc analysis: p < 0.001), while those regarding the phase and the severity of disease were highest in the group affected by psoriasis (p < 0.001)
Summary
Assessment of one’s body, and attitudes towards one’s body are important elements of the development of the “self ” [1]. Research suggests that how we perceive our body is more important for our body image than its actual appearance [2, 3]. This is important, because one’s body image and sense of attractiveness are strongly associated with self-esteem [4, 5], well-being [6], happiness [7, 8], life satisfaction [9], and it influences health-related quality of life [10,11,12]. People tend to be most critical of their bodies during adolescence and young adulthood [19], and the imperfections typical of
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
