Narcissism as a moderator of satisfaction with body image in young women with extreme underweight and obesity.

Małgorzata Lipowska,Mariusz Lipowski,Cosimo Urgesi

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0126724

Małgorzata Lipowska, Mariusz Lipowski + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126724

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Abstract

ObjectiveBody weight and age constitute main determinants of body image in women. We analyzed the role of narcissism as a moderator of body image in young women representing various extremes of body weight.MethodsThe study included 325 women between 18 and 35 years, qualified into three BMI categories: obese women (BMI > 30.0, n = 72), severely underweight women who did not satisfy the remaining criteria of anorexia (BMI < 17.5, n = 85), and women with normal body weight (21.7 < “ideal BMI” > 22.7, n = 168). Satisfaction with body image was determined with Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire and Body Esteem Scale, while narcissism was measured with Narcissistic Personality Inventory.Principal FindingsWe revealed that narcissism has significant impact on the body image of women who are extremely underweight or obese. Vanity and Leadership were narcissism dimensions which played significant role in slim women, as compared to Vanity and Self-Sufficiency in obese women.ConclusionThe role of narcissism as a modulator of self-satisfaction with one’s body varies depending on BMI level: extremely underweight women and obese individuals constitute groups in which narcissism has the strongest impact on the self-satisfaction with body.

Highlights

IntroductionPerception of one’s body as attractive is associated with its objective parameters (height, weight and proportions) [1,2,3,4,5], and with cultural canons [6,7,8,9,10] and fashion [11,12,13]
Perception of one’s body as attractive is associated with its objective parameters [1,2,3,4,5], and with cultural canons [6,7,8,9,10] and fashion [11,12,13]
The role of narcissism as a modulator of self-satisfaction with one’s body varies depending on Body Mass Index (BMI) level: extremely underweight women and obese individuals constitute groups in which narcissism has the strongest impact on the self-satisfaction with body

Summary

Introduction

Perception of one’s body as attractive is associated with its objective parameters (height, weight and proportions) [1,2,3,4,5], and with cultural canons [6,7,8,9,10] and fashion [11,12,13]. One’s self-satisfaction with body image is modulated by a subjective attitude to bodily sphere, which in turn is determined by individual characteristics, such as personality profile [14,15], general self-esteem [16], psychological gender [17,18], optimism [19], locus of control [20,21] and narcissism [22,23,24]. Research suggests [25] that self-attitude to one’s body, which is based on cognitive, behavioral, and emotional components and the subjective determination of the size of various body parts, represents two relatively independent elements of body image. During the period of adolescence and adulthood, beauty is associated mostly with interpersonal success and constitutes an important determinant of social prestige and appreciation; as seems to emanate from each advertisement [34]

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