Importance Of Body Image Research Articles

Body image assessment and treatment in controlled studies of eating disorders.

This literature review examined the extent to which body image been assessed and treated in eating disorder treatment programs and the effectiveness of different treatments for body image change. Published reports of experimentally controlled clinical trials were examined for the use of measures and interventions that concerned body image. About one third of psychotherapy studies assessed and treated body image. Cognitive behavioral eating disorder programs for bulimia nervosa result in modest body image improvement. Pharmacotherapy seems to be less effective than CBT, though few pharmacotherapy studies assessed body image. Although cognitive restructuring is widely used, behavioral interventions and self-monitoring that target body image have not been reported by most eating disorder programs. Little information is available on body image methods in anorexia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. Given the importance of body image for the development and recovery from eating disorders, more systematic body image work should be incorporated into current treatment.

Body image and dieting failure in college men and women: Examining links between depression and eating problems

The noted co-occurrence between depression and eating problems in women may be due to their common association with negative body image. Specifically, the western cultural ideal that equates feminine beauty with thinness leads a large number of women to be dissatisfied with their bodies. A recent model [M. McCarthy (1990) “The Thin Ideal, Depression, and Eating Disorders in Women,” Behavioral Research and Therapy, Vol. 28, pp. 205–215] suggests that this dissatisfaction, coupled with high importance placed on appearance, leads most women to engage in dieting to obtain this level of thinness. As dieting is typically unsuccessful as a means of long-term weight control, depression will result from the sense of failure and helplessness associated with dieting failure. This depression then leads to increasingly maladaptive eating behaviors that serve to assuage negative affect and regain control over body appearance. In a sample of 234 male and female, predominantly white, 17–22-year-old college students, we examined several components of this model, including the specificity of these relations for women. In accordance with the model, depressive symptoms and eating problems were predicted to be an interactive function of body image and body image importance, with negative body image/high importance subjects showing the greatest disturbance. In addition, we examined several components of the model to determine (a) the relation between failed dieting and depression, and (b) the extent to which depression could account for eating problems. Regardless of gender, eating problems were indeed highest among those with both negative body image and high body image importance. Depression, however, was higher in subjects with negative body image, regardless of body image importance. For both men and women, failed dieting was significantly related to depression, but only for women did depression account for significant variability in eating problems. Validity of the model is considered. Gender differences in the nature of these relations, and the need to consider possible alternative effects of the cultural standard for masculine attractiveness, are discussed.

Body image in rheumatoid arthritis: The relevance of hand appearance to desire for surgery

To investigate the importance of body image concerns relating to hand appearance in rheumatoid arthritis, a questionnaire was devised and administered to 80 female out-patients. Subjective judgements of hand attractiveness, feelings about hands, and behaviours relating to hand adornment and concealment were sought. Objective ratings of hand attractiveness were obtained from photographs taken at this time of the women's hands. Factor analysis indicated four principal orthogonal factors describe these body image items. Evaluative and affective elements were found to be independent of each other. The hypothesis that body image, thus rated, is relevant to desire for reparative hand surgery was tested using a two-stage general linear modelling procedure. Body image concerns, particularly negative feelings about hands, emerged as significant predictors of desire for surgery, and remained significant after the removal of variance accounted for by duration of arthritis, age, grip strength and objectively rated hand attractiveness. It is suggested that in rheumatoid arthritis, self-perception of hands and the associated emotional response, may be a covert agenda in women's decision to have surgery, and need specific clinical consideration.

A Longitudinal Analysis of Body Image as a Predictor of the Onset and Persistence of Adolescent Girls' Depression

The importance of body image in early adolescent girls' depression was evaluated in a longitudinal study. Depression scores of over 500 girls were assessed twice, in the fall (TI) and spring (T2) of a school year, and four subject groups were identified: Persistent Depressed (depressed at Ti and T2); Remitting Depressed (depressed at Ti, nondepressed at T2); Onset Depressed (nondepressed at Ti, depressed at T2); and Stable Nondepressed (nondepressed at Ti and T2). Discriminant analyses indicated that body image at Ti was more important to the prediction of persistence of depression (i.e., to the discrimination of Persistent Depressed from Remitting Depressed girls) than to the prediction of onset of depression (i.e., to the discrimination of Onset Depressed from Stable Non depressed girls). Results therefore clarify the relationship between body image and depression and demonstrate the heuristic value of discriminating questions of onset and persistence of adolescent girls' depression.

Determinants of Body Image in Women at Midlife

40 middle-aged women, 35 to 55 yr. of age, participated in a study of the relation between satisfaction with body image, importance of body image, self-esteem, and mastery. Findings indicated that women with higher satisfaction with body-image tended to place more importance on body image. Those women also reported higher self-esteem and mastery of life events.

The process of embarking on a weight control program.

The purpose of this study was to describe the process of embarking on a weight control program, to understand more about the decision to seek treatment for obesity, a chronic health problem. Obese women were interviewed using field methods. The grounded theory approach was utilized to analyze the data. Loss and isolation were predominant themes and stages through which women progressed before entering treatment. The entering of treatment was viewed as a way of adapting to sex role norms, or what was expected of women by society. Body image concerns‐the loss of attractiveness—was an overriding theme. Physical health played a minor role in this decision to seek treatment for obesity. This investigation generated hypotheses for further study related to the importance of body image versus physical health as a motivator for weight control.

Primary radiation therapy and breast cancer.

Twenty years ago the management of early carcinoma of the breast in the US was routine. Patients underwent radical mastectomy, and, usually, nothing further was done. Since then, various new concepts and approaches have been introduced, and there is now considerable controversy and uncer­ tainty regarding the optimal treatment of this disease. Two major areas of discussion have emerged. The first concerns the limitations of local treatment. Even when breast cancer is apparently local­ ized, a significant proportion of patients manifest distant metastases in the years following local treatment, i.e. breast cancer is a systemic disease in many patients and no local treatment by itself can cure it. It is now clear that some form of systemic therapy, such as chemotherapy or hormonal therapy, will be required to improve the cure rate in this disease. The second major area of discussion concerns the extent of local treat­ ment required. In part, this reflects a recognition of the importance of body image, particularly the loss of a breast, for women in this culture. As a result of these cosmetic as well as functional concerns, surgeons have, for the most part, adopted some form of a modified radical mastectomy with preserva­ tion of one or both pectoral muscles as the standard surgical treatment for early breast cancer. There is increasing evidence that primary radiation therapy without mastectomy is an effective alternative to mastectomy as local treatment. This article reviews the historical background and current status of primary radiation therapy as local treatment for early carcinoma of the breast.

Psychiatrict themes in the rehabilitation of mastectomy patients.

The author discussed the psychological variables involved in the rehabilitation of patients who have undergone a mastectomy. The scope of the problem, the psychological meaning and fears suffered by mastectomy patients, and importance of body image is discussed along with the psychological treatment.