Temporal comparison theory and elderly satisfaction with their body: a preliminary study

Philipe De Souto Barreto

doi:10.1590/s1809-98232012000300003

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Studies on body satisfaction have been neglecting a possible contribution of temporal comparisons (TC) for determining people's satisfaction with their body. The purpose of this work is to provide preliminary data on the usefulness of TC theory in determining body satisfaction in elderly individuals. METHODS: Participants were 18 functionally limited elderly adults, aged 68-90 years. After receiving three theory-related stimuli (social comparison, temporal comparison, and self-schema), they completed two scales: a scale on satisfaction with body functioning and a scale on body appearance satisfaction. RESULTS: Satisfaction with body functioning and satisfaction with body appearance did not differ among theory-related stimuli. TC-related correlations were stronger than the other theory-related correlations, even when adjusted for confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that TC theory may be a useful framework for explaining body satisfaction in the elderly. Studies on this subject should be encouraged. However, further research is needed before any conclusion can be drawn.

Highlights

Body satisfaction is a very complex and important construct of a person’s life.[1]
In a study using Temporal comparison (TC) theory, Ryff[11] showed that elderly’ past assessments with regard to psychological well-being were generally close to their present assessments, suggesting perceived similarity or maintenance of prior levels of functioning
The present preliminary study aims at examining whether TC theory can be a useful framework in the field of body satisfaction in a sample composed of functionally limited French elderly

Summary

Introduction

Body satisfaction is a very complex and important construct of a person’s life.[1]. To understand persons’ perceptions of their body, several aspects must be taken into account, such as socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender), body morphology aspects (e.g., body mass index [BMI], body fat), behavioral-related aspects (e.g., exercise, nutrition), health-related aspects (e.g., physical function declines, chronic diseases), and socio-cultural norms and ideals.Theory-based studies have been developed in the field of body satisfaction. Selfschemas are “cognitive generalizations about the self, derived from past experience that organize and guide the processing of selfrelated information”.8 In this way, when applied to the field of body image, SS theory implies that body image is a mental representation of self-related information.[9] studies have presented mixed results with regard to the usefulness of SS theory in explaining body image.[10] Temporal comparison (TC) theory has been used in studies on psychological well-being, including among older adults.[11] TC hypothesizes that people evaluate themselves by using intrapersonal aspects of the self over time.[12] For example, in a study using TC theory, Ryff[11] showed that elderly’ past assessments with regard to psychological well-being were generally close to their present assessments, suggesting perceived similarity or maintenance of prior levels of functioning. The present preliminary study aims at examining whether TC theory can be a useful framework in the field of body satisfaction in a sample composed of functionally limited French elderly

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion