Body Image Status Research Articles

The Impact of Posting and Viewing Selfies on Social Media on Self-Identity: A Case Study of xiaohongshu

The emergence of new social media platforms has significantly influenced adolescent mental health through their engagement in selfie-related behaviours. This paper uses xiaohongshu as a research platform to explore the impact of users’ selfie-related behaviour on their body satisfaction and self-identity on social media. This study employed a questionnaire-based survey to examine 60 xiaohongshu users, aged 19-59, utilizing the selfie-posting frequency scale, self-viewing scale, verbal commentary on physical appearance Scale, body Image states scale, and body surveillance subscale. The results show that selfie editing and posting, selfie viewing, and positive appearance-related commentary positively affect body satisfaction, while negative appearance-related commentary negatively affect body satisfaction. There is no statistically significant association identified between body satisfaction and self-objectification. Adolescents’ psychological issues are influenced, in part, by their selfie-related activities within social networking environments. However, a mindful and rational engagement with these platforms can foster self-identity and contribute to the positive development of youth mental health.

State affect and body image effects of body positive social media content within a female chronic illness sample

Body positivity refers to a movement, popularized on social media, that encourages the normalization and acceptance of bodies diverging from sociocultural ideals, specifically within marginalized communities. Previous studies suggest that briefly viewing body positive social media content may lead to increased body satisfaction and positive affect in young women relative to thin-ideal and appearance-neutral content. Diminished body functionality and appearance change due to chronic illness poses a unique challenge to positive body image in young adults living with chronic illness. Typical body positive social media content may not be useful for this community since chronic illnesses are often not outwardly depicted, so the current study aimed to examine the state effects before and after viewing body positive social media content in a sample of young women (N=201) with at least one self-reported chronic illness. Participants (Mage = 29.4, SD = 6.74; 79.2 % white) were randomly assigned to view one of two sets of 10 images: chronic illness body positive and typical body positive. Participants completed a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pre- and post-stimuli exposure. Findings from repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant interaction between time and group for negative affect (F(1198) = 4.402, p =.037) and broad conceptualization of beauty (F(1199) = 4.288, p =.040), such that those exposed to the chronic illness stimuli reported a larger reduction in negative affect and an increase in conceptualization of beauty beyond the non-chronically ill ideal post-exposure. Thus, exposure to body positive social media content inclusive of chronic illness may be more useful in stabilizing affect and promoting greater positive body image within the community. These findings highlight the importance of inclusive body positive portrayals in terms of dimensions beyond weight and shape to account for the effects of diminished body functionality.

Body Image Dissatisfaction is the Predictor of Social Physique Anxiety and Self- Esteem

The objective of the current research was to explore the relationship among body image dissatisfaction, social physique anxiety, and self-esteem. The sample included 145 males and 145 females from The University of Lahore and University of Sargodha. The Sample was selected through stratified random sampling technique. In this study survey research design and co relational method were used. Body image state scale (Cash et all, 2002) Social Physique Anxiety Scale (Hart et a1, 1989) and Rosenberg self-esteem scale (1989) were used to collect data. Study was carried out in two parts. In part-I pilot study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the scales and correlation of variables on a selected sample of 72 university students. In part-II main study on sample of 290 was conducted to test the hypotheses. The findings indicated that body image dissatisfaction positively predicted social physique anxiety and negatively predicted self-esteem.

Experimental evidence that activewear retail imagery elicits physiological, attentional and self-reported markers of body image threat in women

Online apparel retail imagery is a prominent threat to women’s body image, particularly segments such as activewear which emphasize the value of women’s bodies. In a within-subjects experiment, we exposed women (N = 128) to imagery randomly selected from activewear, casualwear and homewares websites and measured their gaze behavior, physiological arousal, as well as subjective emotional states and body image ratings. Exposure to activewear retail imagery elicited significantly lower body image ratings, a higher negative emotional state, and a lower positive emotional state compared to the other website imagery conditions. Physiological arousal was significantly higher for both apparel imagery conditions compared to the homewares imagery condition. Body biased gaze behavior was significantly higher for the activewear imagery condition compared to the casualwear imagery condition. Notably, body shame moderated the self-reported but not the physiological experimental effects, such that women with higher body shame experienced stronger adverse changes in their body image and emotional state ratings following activewear exposure. Correlations revealed that self-reported experimental responses to activewear imagery were strongly associated with self-objectification, appearance comparison, disordered eating and body image coping attitudes. Thus, exposure to popular apparel may play a role in maintaining maladaptive body image attitudes and behaviors in women.

Regulatory emotional self-efficacy and self-compassion mediate anxiety, depression, body image distress and subjective well-being in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross-sectional study.

This study aims to investigate the mediating role of regulatory emotional self-efficacy and self-compassion in the relationship among anxiety, depression, body image distress and subjective well-being among women with polycystic ovary syndrome. A cross-sectional study. The study recruited 510 women with polycystic ovary syndrome from a tertiary hospital affiliated with a university in Hunan Province, China. The study employed several tools to collect data, including the Generalized Anxiety Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Body Image States Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale, the Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale and the Index of Well-being questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive analysis, spearman correlation analysis, ordinary least squares regression and bootstrapping. The study's findings indicate that regulatory emotional self-efficacy and self-compassion both act as mediators in the connection between anxiety, depression, body image distress and subjective well-being among women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The study emphasizes the significance of regulatory emotional self-efficacy and self-compassion in promoting well-being among women with polycystic ovary syndrome. It also implies that interventions targeted at enhancing these factors could potentially enhance the subjective well-being of women affected by PCOS. Our study's primary contribution is to underscore the crucial mediating roles of regulatory emotional self-efficacy and self-compassion in the relationship among anxiety, depression, body image distress and subjective well-being. Our study indicates that clinical practitioners should prioritize improving the regulatory emotional self-efficacy and self-compassion of women with polycystic ovary syndrome, reducing their anxiety, depression and body image distress and improving their subjective well-being. This study was reported according to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). No patient or public contribution outside of participation in the actual study for purposes of data collection.

The relationship between physical activity and the health of primary and secondary school teachers: the chain mediating effects of body image and self-efficacy

BackgroundActive health is a new concept, model, and system to maintain the state of whole-person health. In the context of the increasingly serious health problems of primary and secondary school teachers, it is of great significance to explore the relationship between physical activity and primary and secondary school teachers’ health based on the active health perspective.MethodsThe survey involving 741 primary and secondary school teachers across representative provinces in China utilized the International Physical Activity Scale, Body Imagery State Scale, and General Self-Efficacy Scale. Data analysis employed SPSS 25.0 and Amos 24.0 software.ResultsWhile no significant gender disparities were observed in body image and self-efficacy, age groups exhibited a bipartite and “V” shaped distribution. Female teachers demonstrated higher physical activity levels (2456.46) and superior physical fitness compared to males (2297.86). A positive correlation emerged between physical activity, body image, self-efficacy, and health status. Importantly, body image and self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between physical activity and health status, accounting for 82.31% of the total effect.ConclusionsPrimary and secondary school teachers have real problems such as teachers’ physical activity is generally insufficient, teachers’ body image status is generally poor, and teachers’ self-efficacy is low; physical activity is an important factor in promoting primary and secondary school teachers’ health status, and low, medium, and high levels of activity all have a promoting effect on the health of primary and secondary school teachers, and the more active primary and secondary school teachers are in terms of physical activity, the better their body image, self-efficacy, and health status are, and the more active primary and secondary school teachers are in terms of physical activity, the more positive the physical activity, self-efficacy, and health status are. The more physically active primary and secondary school teachers are, the better their physical intention, self-efficacy and health status are.Suggestionsimprove the quality and effectiveness, promote the concept of active health among teachers; empower teachers, strengthen the institutional protection of teachers’ health; reduce the burden and increase the quantity,and optimise the supply of health services for teachers.

Strike a pose: Immediate effects of a model-created social media literacy video on body image and mood

Exposure to idealized social media imagery has been shown to be detrimental to body image among young women, and social media literacy may be protective. This mixed methods study aimed to evaluate the effects of an online video narrated by a high-profile, plus-size model on the body image and negative mood of young women and predictors of the effects. A sample of 304 young women, average age 20.95 (SD = 2.09) years, completed an online survey including pre- and post-exposure measures of state body image and negative mood, and trait measures of upward social media appearance comparison, thin-ideal internalization, and selfie-investment. A subset (n = 148) responded to open-ended questions to obtain feedback on the video coded categorically and through thematic analysis. Findings revealed immediate improvements in state body satisfaction and negative mood, with higher levels of trait appearance comparison and selfie investment associated with smaller effects of the video. Participants endorsed the video as raising awareness of unrealistic images but limited in terms of mitigating appearance comparison and selfie-investment. Furthermore, participants described that Iskra's status as a professional model also influenced their reactions. These findings highlight the importance of assessing for unintended paradoxical effects of social media literacy efforts and ensuring that such interventions are empirically based.

The effect of pregnant women's status of receiving preconception care on pregnancy stress.

In the study, we aimed to determine the effect of pregnant women's status of receiving preconception care on their pregnancy stress. This is a descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional design study, we were conducted with the participation of 409 pregnant women between June-December 2019. The Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale total score mean was found to be 30.72 ± 20.26. Individuals who received medication and vitamins as part of preconceptional care had significantly higher scores (p < 0.05; p < 0.001) compared to those who did not receive them for total pregnancy stress, postpartum social support, infant health, and infant identity-care stress. Similarly, individuals who received medical treatment and regular checkups had significantly higher scores (p < 0.05) compared to those who did not for total pregnancy stress, postpartum social support, infant identity-care, body image and psychological state during pregnancy stress scores. In addition, individuals who maintained a healthy lifestyle had significantly higher scores (p < 0.05; p < 0.001) compared to others for infant health, infant identity-care, and psychological distress during pregnancy. It was determined that women who made preparations for their pregnancy experienced more stress related to their babies (baby's health, baby's identity and care), psychological status in pregnancy, prenatal and postnatal social support, and body image.

An experimental investigation of whether body-positive messaging on fitspiration and diverse images can improve state body image in women

Viewing body-positive content on social media can benefit women's body image. Previous research has conceptualised body positivity broadly, and therefore it remains unclear whether some components are more useful than others. This study examined the impact of body appreciation or body functionality messages (in addition to a mixed condition) overlaid across different image types to influence women’s body image. Young women (17–30 years, Mage= 21.53, N = 308) completed an online survey in which they were randomised to view either fitspiration or diverse images overlaid with messaging focusing on body appreciation, body functionality, or a combination. Participants completed pre- and post-test measures of appearance and functionality satisfaction, body appreciation, and body objectification / conceptualisation. Post-test measures of social comparison and perceptions of models were also taken. Results showed that message type did not interact with image type. Rather, exposure to diverse images increased appearance satisfaction and body appreciation, with no changes to functionality satisfaction (vs a decrease for the fitspiration condition). All conditions improved in self-objectification. Further, diverse images resulted in more favourable social comparisons. Our findings consider body positive content in a controlled way and show no differences across body appreciation or body functionality themes.

Association between Body-Image Satisfaction and Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms among Women with PCOS: The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Strategies

Anxiety and depressive symptoms are prevalent in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and there is a great need for culturally relevant interventions to improve anxiety and depressive symptoms in women with PCOS. The current study aimed to analyze the factors influencing body-image satisfaction, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in Chinese women with PCOS. It also aimed to clarify the association between body-image satisfaction and anxiety and depressive symptoms in women with PCOS, and whether this association was mediated by cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. A total of 477 women with PCOS were recruited from the Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine Center of one university-affiliated tertiary hospital in China. They completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Body Image States Scale, and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. The study found body-image satisfaction showed significant associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms. This association was mediated by cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. The findings of this study offer new insights into the relationship between body image and anxiety and depressive symptoms in women with PCOS. They also emphasize the potential value of promoting body-image satisfaction and enhancing cognitive reappraisal abilities to improve the mental health of women with PCOS.

Negative family body talk and negative emotional eating among Chinese adolescent girls and young adult women: The role of body dissatisfaction and feminism consciousness

Negative emotional eating has been increasingly a prominent disordered eating and public health problem among young women, especially during COVID-19. Although previous studies have attempted to explain the relationship between body talk and negative emotional eating, limited studies focused on examining the potential mechanisms, especially the potential protective mechanism. Thus, the current study aimed to examine the relationship between negative family body talk (NFBT) and negative emotional eating, as well as its underlying mechanism - the mediating role of body dissatisfaction (BDIS) and the moderating role of feminism consciousness (FC). A cross-sectional study was employed among a sample of Chinese girls and young women (n = 813, Mage = 19.4 years) from a junior college in central China. Participants completed surveys assessing NFBT (Adapted Body Talk Scale), BDIS (Body Image State Scale), negative emotional eating (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire), and FC (Synthesis Subscale from Feminist Identity Composite). A moderated mediation analysis was conducted. The results showed that: (1) after controlling for age and BMI, NFBT was positively associated with negative emotional eating, and BDIS could significantly mediate this relationship (mediating effect = 0.03, 95% CI [0.02, 0.06]); (2) FC significantly moderated both the direct relationship between NFBT and negative emotional eating and the relationship between NFBT and BDIS. Specifically, these two associations were not significant for participants with higher FC (+1SD above average). This study deepens our understanding of the relationship between NFBT and negative emotional eating, as well as the protective role of FC. If future studies demonstrate causal relationships, this evidence could point to a need for programs to prevent negative emotional eating in young women by increasing their level of feminism consciousness.

Delivering a media literacy intervention for body dissatisfaction using an app-based intervention: A feasibility and pilot trial

Body dissatisfaction rates continue to remain high, and the consequences remain dire, especially among young women. Traditional media literacy interventions have found success in addressing body image-related constructs, though they are limited in their reach and are often quickly outdated. This study was designed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a media literacy intervention via ecological momentary intervention. This pilot study tested a media literacy intervention delivered via a smartphone app designed to disrupt the connection between media use and body dissatisfaction. Thirty-seven undergraduate women (Mage = 21.17; SD = 2.20) received a 15-day media literacy intervention through a smartphone application. The primary outcomes were completion rates, retention rates, percentage of data points lost to technological errors, and participant feedback. The secondary outcome was change in body dissatisfaction. The retention and percentage of data points lost to technological errors, alongside participants' ratings, indicated that this intervention is feasible and acceptable. Several targets were identified to increase participant acceptance and potential efficacy of the intervention. Trait body dissatisfaction decreased, though not significantly, following the intervention. State body image satisfaction improved significantly from the first day to the last day of engagement with the app. Overall, the intervention was deemed feasible and acceptable, opening the door for future research in which the intervention and its delivery system are improved, and its efficacy is reexamined. Future digital media literacy interventions should focus on building a user-centered app, further reducing participant burden, and testing efficacy in large and diverse samples.

Testing a Low-Intensity Single-Session Self-Compassion Intervention for State Body Shame in Adult Women: A Dismantling Randomized Controlled Trial

State body shame is a risk factor for eating disorders, and self-compassion is emerging as a potentially effective treatment option in such cases. This study tested the efficacy of a brief (15-minute) self-compassion intervention in reducing state body shame. Using dismantling trial methodology, participants were randomly allocated to an active compassion condition (n = 23), an inactive control compassion condition (n = 23), or an educational control condition (n = 23). Measures of state body image and state shame were collected pre-intervention, immediately after the intervention, and a day after the intervention. Subjective units of state body shame (SUBS) were intensively measured during each invention. Self-compassion interventions were equally efficacious at protecting against deterioration of state body shame and were effective at reducing state shame compared to the educational control condition, with medium effect sizes (respectively – np2 = .07 and np2 = .08). Reductions in state shame were retained at follow-up. None of the interventions had an effect on body image (np2 = .04). Findings demonstrate the clinical promise of brief self-compassion interventions, particularly as evidenced-based “homework” exercises.

Association between body mass index, body image and self-esteem with sexual function: A survey of young women in Singapore.

Obesity is thought to be a negative predictor of sexual function, but the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sexual function has been inconsistent. Other factors such as body image and self-esteem may mediate this relationship. This study examined the association of BMI, body image and self-esteem with sexual function in young women. A total of 514 sexually active women aged 21 to 35 years completed an anonymised online questionnaire that used 3 scales to assess body image, self-esteem and female sexual function: Body Image States Scale (BISS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Higher scores for BISS, RSES and FSFI indicate more positive body image, higher self-esteem and better sexual function, respectively. Spearman correlation assessed the association among BMI, BISS and RSES scores, and with FSFI scores. Linear and multivariable logistic regression identified risk factors associated with sexual dysfunction (FSFI <26.55). BISS and RSES scores significantly correlated with FSFI scores (r=0.27 and r=0.32, respectively; both P<0.001), indicating that better body image and self-esteem were associated with better sexual function. Risk factors for sexual dysfunction were lower BISS and RSES scores, being married (odds ratio [OR] 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-2.15), having 1 child (OR 2.45; 95% CI 1.26-4.77) and having a perceived mental condition (OR 3.02; 95% CI 1.44-6.33). Factors in lack of sexual dysfunction include being of Malay ethnicity (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.21-0.71) and being overweight (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.27-0.78). Women with poorer body image and lower self-esteem were more likely to have sexual dysfunction. These perceptions and states did not correlate with being overweight, and were better predictors over BMI to identify the population at-risk.

Fashion versus fitspo: The effect of viewing images of contemporary Barbie® dolls in passive versus active poses on college women’s body image and affect

The modern millennial- and Gen Z-targeted Barbiecore feminist movement has emerged in tandem with Barbie®’s reinvention to inspire inclusion and active play. Stimulated by these media trends, the present study using a pre-post experimental design evaluated whether exposure to images depicting contemporary passively-posed Barbie Fashionista® (BF) dolls versus images of actively-posed Barbie Made to Move® (M2M) “fitspiration” dolls versus images of Lego Friends® (LF) scenes would differentially affect aspects of state body image and affect in a sample of 106 racially-diverse young adult college women (MAge = 19.2, SD = 1.39). ANCOVA models assessed the effects of condition on post state measures while controlling for baseline state measures. Results indicated that participants exposed to the BF images reported significantly lower body appreciation relative to those who viewed the LF play sets. A similar trend emerged for participants shown the newer M2M doll images. Additionally, viewing images of the actively-posed M2M dolls was associated with marginally higher appearance comparison scores versus the LF control. These initial findings have implications for considering the relevance of expanded digital strategies for marketing more realistically appearing and functioning Barbie® dolls in affecting the body image experiences and potential purchasing choices of young adult female consumers.

Body image dissatisfaction: A novel predictor of poor quality of life in epilepsy

ObjectivePeople with epilepsy have long reported reduced quality of life (QoL) compared to healthy peers. This initial study seeks to broaden our understanding of QoL in adults with epilepsy, by examining the adverse impact of body image dissatisfaction for the first time. This aim stems from the observation that both seizures and their medical treatment can cause unwanted changes to physical appearances, such as weight change, hirsutism, and acne. MethodSixty-three adults with epilepsy and 48 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited from a tertiary epilepsy program and targeted social media. Participants completed an online suite of well-validated questionnaires canvassing state (current) and trait (long-term) aspects of body image dissatisfaction, mood, QoL, and medical history. ResultsPeople with epilepsy reported significantly elevated levels of trait body image dissatisfaction compared to controls across the dimensions of appearance evaluation, body areas satisfaction, and self-classified weight (p = 0.02); but did not differ from controls on state body image dissatisfaction (p > 0.05). All facets of body image dissatisfaction in participants with epilepsy were strongly associated with reduced QoL, together with heavier body weight, depressive symptoms, medical comorbidities, and a belief that epilepsy hindered their ability to attain a healthier physique. Multiple regression revealed that body image dissatisfaction was the strongest unique contributor to poor QoL in the epilepsy group (β = 0.46, p ≤ 0.001), above and beyond the contribution of current depressive symptoms (β = 0.34, p ≤ 0.01). SignificanceThis is the first study to highlight the high rates of body image dissatisfaction among adults with epilepsy, and the significantly detrimental impact it has on patient well-being. It also opens novel avenues for psychological interventions in epilepsy, that focus on enhancing positive body image as a means of holistically improving the often-poor psychological outcomes for people with this condition.

Study of Different Personalised Dietary Plans on Eating Behaviour, Body Image and Mood in Young Female Professional Handball Players: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Low energy availability may precede or be caused by cognitive disturbances in professional athletes. Related psychological problems include disordered eating patterns, body shape preoccupation, depression or anxiety. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of different personalised dietary plans on psychological factors in young professional female handball players with low energy availability. This 12-week randomised clinical trial involved 21 female players aged 22 ± 4 years, 172.0 ± 5.4 cm and 68.4 ± 6.7 kg divided into three groups (FD: free diet; MD: Mediterranean diet; HAD: high antioxidant diet). Eating behaviour (Eating Attitude Test, EAT-26: diet, bulimia and oral control subscales), body image (Body Shape Questionnaire, BSQ) and mood state (Profile of Mode State, POMS: tension, vigour, anger, depression, fatigue) were assessed. All participants showed low energy availability (<30 kcal/lean mass per day). The different plans showed no significant differences between them but significant differences over time within groups for the variables: body image, Tension, Vigour and Depression (p < 0.05). Eating behaviour improved slightly but did not show statistically significant changes. Following an adequate nutritional planning for athletes seems to improve the mood and body perception of young female handball players. A longer intervention period is required to assess the differences between diets and improvement of other parameters.

The effects of prefrontal vs. parietal cortex transcranial direct current stimulation on craving, inhibition, and measures of self-esteem.

While prefrontal cortex dysfunction has been implicated in high food cravings, other cortical regions, like the parietal cortex, are potentially also involved in regulating craving. This study explored the effects of stimulating the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on food craving state and trait. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was administered at 1.5 mA for 5 consecutive days. Participants received 20 min of IPL, DLPFC, or sham stimulation (SHAM) each day which consisted of two rounds of 10-min stimulation, divided by a 10-min mindfulness task break. In addition, we studied inhibition and subjective psychological aspects like body image and self-esteem state and trait. To decompose immediate and cumulative effects, we measured the following on days 1 and 5: inhibition through the Go/No-go task; and food craving, self-esteem, and body appreciation through a battery of questionnaires. We found that false alarm errors decreased in the participants receiving active stimulation in the DLPFC (DLPFC-group). In contrast, false alarm errors increased in participants receiving active stimulation in the IPL (IPL-group). At the same time, no change was found in the participants receiving SHAM (SHAM-group). There was a trending reduction in craving trait in all groups. Momentary craving was decreased in the DLPFC-group and increased in IPL-group, yet a statistical difference was not reached. According to time and baseline, self-esteem and body perception improved in the IPL-group. Furthermore, self-esteem trait significantly improved over time in the DLPFC-group and IPL-group. These preliminary results indicate that tDCS modulates inhibition in frontoparietal areas with opposite effects, enhancing it in DLPFC and impairing it in IPL. Moreover, craving is moderately linked to inhibition, self-esteem, and body appreciation which seem not to be affected by neuromodulation but may rely instead on broader regions as more complex constructs. Finally, the fractionated protocol can effectively influence inhibition with milder effects on other constructs.

Psychological Risk Factors among Transgender: The Mediating Role of Body Dissatisfaction between Quality of Life, Suicidal Ideation and Social Interaction Anxiety

Abstract&#x0D; Social attitudes, prejudice and stigmas towards transgender community vary around the world. Consequently, the prevalence of suicidal attempts, self-injurious behaviors, and associated psychological factors were very common among them. The current study aimed to examine the association between quality of life, suicidal ideation, social interaction anxiety and body image among trans genders. Two hundred trans genders of age between 18-45 years participated in this study. They were approached by using snow ball sampling technique from different cities of Pakistan. Four instruments, Body Image States Scale (BISS), World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale- (WHOQOL-BREF), Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI), Social Interaction Anxiety (SIA) were used in this research. The results showed no significant difference on demographic variables with regard to body image, social interaction anxiety, quality of life and suicidal ideation (p&lt;0.05). Results of mediation analysis by using Smart-PLS showed that body image significantly mediates the association between quality of life and suicidal ideation (r=0.164, p&lt;0.001) and it also mediates the relationship between quality of life and social interaction anxiety (r=0.184, p&lt;0.001). The findings indicated that this population is at a high risk for psychological comorbidities and life-threatening behaviors. Efforts should be taken to reduce discrimination and psychological risk factors and bring positive attitude towards transgender community.

Eating and body image characteristics of those who aspire to the slim-thick, thin, or fit ideal and their impact on state body image

The slim-thick ideal is characterized by a small waist and flat stomach, but large hips, thighs, and butt. Little research to date has examined the impact of this body-ideal on women’s body image. The purpose of the current study was to investigate: 1) the impact of slim-thick, thin-, and fit-ideal imagery on women’s body image, 2) the body ideals women most aspire to, and 3) eating and body image characteristics of women who aspire to each ideal. Participants were 123 female undergraduate students. Results revealed that experimental exposure to slim-thick- and fit-ideal imagery resulted in lower body satisfaction. Participants reported aspiring more to the fit and slim-thick-ideal than to the thin-ideal, and rated the slim-thick-ideal as the most attractive and desirable. Women who aspired to the thin- or slim-thick-ideal reported the greatest overall disordered eating. Women who aspired to the slim-thick-ideal reported greater dietary restraint, eating, shape and weight concerns, appearance ideal internalization, body image investment, and physical appearance perfectionism than those who aspired to the fit-ideal. Findings show that beauty ideals are shifting away from the thin-ideal toward a slim-thick-ideal. Slim-thick internalization may be harmful to women’s well-being and should be addressed in body image and eating disorders interventions.