Toward a Theoretical Model of Women's Body Image Resilience

Abstract

Body image dissatisfaction is prevalent among girls and women. Girls as young as 6 years old experience negative body image, and there is evidence that women struggle with body concerns throughout life cycle (Lewis & Cachelin, 2001; Smolak, 2002; Striegel-Moore & Franko, 2002). In fact, women in mid-life and as older adults report dissatisfaction with their body and are dieting to lose weight (Whitbourne & Skultety, 2002). It is becoming increasingly clear that there is a normative discontent (Rodin, Silberstein, & Striegel-Moore, 1985) that women experience with regard to their body. Body image experiences can adversely affect a woman's quality of life, because amount of time, energy, and money she spends on beauty enhancement can restrict her opportunities to develop other aspects of her identity (Strachan & Cash, 2002; Striegel-Moore & Franko, 2002). There is a relationship between negative body image and a variety of psychosocial problems. First, body image dissatisfaction is among most empirically supported risk factors for maladaptive eating practices (Cooley & Toray, 2001). Second, negative body image is associated with poor self-esteem, anxiety about social evaluation, public self-consciousness, depression, and sexual inhibition (Ackard, Kearney-Cooke, & Peterson, 2000; Lavin & Cash, 2000; Wiederman & Pryor, 2000). Finally, body image dissatisfaction is primary precursor for development of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia (Polivy & Herman, 2002). Although considerable research has been dedicated to study of eating disorders, there is less literature available for counselors regarding daily, lived experiences of millions of women who struggle with body image concerns (Striegel-Moore & Cachelin, 1999). There is also a dearth of research that has examined protective factors that buffer some women from development of negative body image (Cash, 2002; Striegel-Moore & Cachelin, 1999; Taylor & Altman, 1997). If approximately half of all women are dissatisfied with their weight and overall appearance (Cash, 2002; Muth & Cash, 1997), then questions remain regarding other half of women who do not develop concerns with their body. Cash (2002) argued for a paradigm shift away from study of body image as pathology and proposed a move toward understanding the trajectories whereby people create fulfilling experiences of embodiment (p. 45). This shift should examine role of protective factors and resilience by exploring life experiences and personality traits that build resistance to strong cultural pressures that influence women to be dissatisfied with their body (Cash & Pruzinsky, 2002). Specialists in prevention field have also called for research regarding body image resilience. According to National Institute of Mental Health (Reiss & Price, 1996; Taylor & Altman, 1997), prevention initiatives in area of eating disorders should emphasize ways in which protective factors can be targeted and enhanced in girls and women. Because counselors possess a prevention focus and an orientation toward normal growth and development, they are well situated to take lead in designing approaches that strengthen protective factors. The counseling profession's emphasis on wellness and holistic approaches that build on positive resources of clients (Gale & Austin, 2003; Myers, Sweeney, & White, 2002; Myers, Sweeney, & Witmer, 2000) can also be aligned with research and interventions regarding resilience. By understanding experiences of sizeable minority of women who develop a positive body image, counselors can more effectively work to enhance protective factors in their prevention and counseling interventions with all girls and women. The purpose of this article is to first conduct a review of recent literature related to development of body image in girls and women. …