Distorted body image in women: Emotion focused training for self-compassion and self-protection as an effective instrument for its moderation

Abstract

Aim of the studyDissatisfaction with one’s own body represents one of the main sources of suffering for women in various age categories. One of the potential factors reducing dissatisfaction with one’s own body is self-compassion. The aim of this study was to determine if a short-term two-week emotion focused training for self-compassion and self-protection, will reduce self-criticism in women, increase their self-compassion and improve satisfaction with their own body image.Subject or material and methodsThe research sample consisted of 64 women aged 18-55 years, mean age 31.73 yrs. (SD = 8.48), randomized into experimental and control group. Self-compassion, self-criticism and body shape dissatisfaction were measured before and after the intervention.ResultsData analysis indicated significant changes in the degree of self-compassion, self-criticism and dissatisfaction with body image on the part of the group undergoing intervention.DiscussionSimilarly as in previous research, emotion focused training for self-compassion and self-protection turned out to be the effective tool for increasing compassion, decreasing self-criticism and enhancing body dissatisfaction.ConclusionsThe study confirms the assertion that cultivating self-compassion can lower dissatisfaction with body image, and at the same time, it proves that cost-effective, distance intervention, without direct contact with a specialist, can be effective.