Female Body Image Research Articles

Features are more than just filling in the blanks on body size scales

ABSTRACT Despite widespread misperceptions of body size and shape, the specific visual features influencing such judgments remain unclear. This study assessed the contribution of internal body features (e.g., colour, shading) to the accuracy of female body size judgements and whether that contribution varies with body size. Using a bodyline task, 100 female participants evaluated images of female bodies, either depicted as real bodies including internal features (feature stimuli) or images of bodies as silhouettes only (silhouette stimuli). The results showed greater overall errors in body size estimation for silhouettes compared to full feature images. However, the direction of error differed for large and small bodies: small silhouettes were judged larger than their full-feature counterparts, while large silhouettes were judged smaller. These findings emphasize the importance of internal body features in shaping perceptions of female body size and highlight the complexity of judgement accuracy across different body sizes.

Advances in Research on the Relationship Between Social Media Use on Female's Body and Appearance Image Anxiety

With the proliferation of social media platforms and new-generation aesthetics. There has been a shift in how peopleespecially femaleview and engage with notions of the body and appearance. An increasing amount of research has examined the intricate connection between women's body and appearance issues and social media use over the last ten years. The relationship between young people's appearance anxiety issues and body image has been extensively studied in the literature. However, the influence of social media on the body image and influence of young women has received comparatively less theoretical investigation. It's also critical to comprehend how social media use influences women's body image barriers and perceptions, given the prominence of the internet in the lives of young people and their dependency on it. This essay aims to investigate the ways in which social media influences young women's body image issues and to provide a greater perspective on the research on this topic. It will do this by utilising the theories of social comparison and objectification to uncover and analyse the ways in which young women perceive their bodies and appearances on social media.

Association between bladder cancer treatment and female sexual function.

Bladder cancer ranks 17th in prevalence of cancer types among women, and the trend is rising. The increased risk of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) after radical cystectomy (RC) underscores the need for greater focus on preserving and mitigating FSD. To place greater emphasis on the importance of female sexual function (FSF) in the treatment of bladder cancer and stimulate additional research to discover more effective solutions for enhancing the overall quality of life. This review used a narrative approach. Previous reviews on FSF after RC have provided limited and 1-sided solutions due to the lack of research. What makes this review unique is its innovative approach: it includes all available measures curing FSD as well as comparative analyses based on experimental data, thus making the findings more comprehensive. A detailed perspective of treatments for female bladder cancer is provided, including nerve- and organ-sparing RC, robot-assisted RC, and radiotherapy. We also analyze the impact of treatments for female bladder cancer on postoperative FSD. Additionally, solutions for addressing or alleviating postoperative FSD are summarized, such as urinary diversion, vaginal reconstruction, and drug and nondrug treatment. Research has suggested that robot-assisted nerve- and organ-sparing RC is promising. Moreover, orthotopic neobladder among urinary diversions without a stoma helps to maintain a positive female body image. If part of the anterior vaginal wall must be removed during RC, vaginal reconstruction can restore the dimensions with synthetic grafts and biologic scaffolds. Additionally, postoperative measures, such as vaginal laser and hormone therapy, and use of vaginal dilators and lubricants have a significant role in reducing distress caused by FSD to provide maximum relief. To support FSF after RC, various interventions are needed, and urologists must focus on patient recovery while minimizing treatment impact on FSF as much as possible.

Testing the validity of online psychophysical measurement of body image perception.

This body image study tests the viability of transferring a complex psychophysical paradigm from a controlled in-person laboratory task to an online environment. 172 female participants made online judgements about their own body size when viewing images of computer-generated female bodies presented in either in front-view or at 45-degrees in a method of adjustment (MOA) paradigm. The results of these judgements were then compared to the results of two laboratory-based studies (with 96 and 40 female participants respectively) to establish three key findings. Firstly, the results show that the accuracy of online and in-lab estimates of body size are comparable, secondly that the same patterns of visual biases in judgements are shown both in-lab and online, and thirdly online data shows the same view-orientation advantage in accuracy in body size judgements as the laboratory studies. Thus, this study suggests that that online sampling potentially represents a rapid and accurate way of collecting reliable complex behavioural and perceptual data from a more diverse range of participants than is normally sampled in laboratory-based studies. It also offers the potential for designing stratified sampling strategies to construct a truly representative sample of a target population.

Effect of cultural distance on female body image: a serial mediation model

Effect of cultural distance on female body image: a serial mediation model

»Der Aufsatz […] war gar nicht so ›sexy‹ wie das Bild.«

TThe present essay features Das Magazin, a popular East German monthly magazine that appeared in the GDR for the first time in 1954. The author analyzes the photographic depiction of women in issues of the 1950s. This analysis starts with the magazine’s prominent and well-researched nude photographs, but later focuses on other images of female bodies, i.e. in photo montages, to explore the different variations in which women were depicted in Das Magazin. A close examination of the images in question, their position and contextualization within Das Magazin allows for a look beyond the pages of the printed product and sheds light on the work of the layout artists. In doing so, the author argues that its creators revived certain visual strategies that had already been cultivated by the popular press in the interwar period and which were also existent beyond the boundaries of the GDR press. Thus, the notion of GDR magazines’ production practices can be enriched by transnational and historical perspectives.

Relationship Between Otome Games and Female Body Image Anxiety

Relationship Between Otome Games and Female Body Image Anxiety

The REPAIR study: oral antibiotics to prevent infection and wound dehiscence after obstetric perineal tear—a double-blinded placebo controlled randomized trial

BackgroundApproximately 85% of women experience an obstetric tear at delivery and up to 25% subsequently experience wound dehiscence and/or infection. Previous publications suggest that intravenous antibiotics administrated during delivery reduces this risk. We do not know if oral antibiotics given after delivery can reduce the risk of wound dehiscence or infection. Our aim is to investigate whether three doses of oral antibiotics (amoxicillin 500 mg/clavulanic acid 125 mg) given after delivery can reduce the risk of wound dehiscence and infection in patients with a second-degree obstetric tear or episiotomy.MethodsWe will perform a randomized, controlled, double-blinded study including 221women in each arm with allocation 1:1 in relation to the randomization. The study is carried out at Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. The women will be included after delivery if they have had a second-degree tear or episiotomy. After inclusion, the women will have a clinical follow-up visit after 1 week. The tear and healing will be evaluated regarding signs of infection and/or dehiscence. The women will again be invited for a 1-year clinical examination including ultrasound. Questionnaires exploring symptoms related to the obstetric tear and possible complications will be answered at both visits. Our primary outcome is wound dehiscence and/or wound infection, which will be calculated using χ2 tests to compare groups. Secondary outcomes are variables that relate to wound healing, as pain, use of painkillers and antibiotics, need for further follow-up, as well as outcomes that may be related to the birth or healing process, urinary or anal incontinence, symptoms of prolapse, female body image, and sexual problems.DiscussionReducing the risk of wound dehiscence and/or infection would decrease the number of control visits, prevent the need for longer antibiotic treatment, and possibly also decrease both short-term and long-term symptoms. This would be of great importance so the mother, her partner, and the baby could establish and optimize their initial family relation.Trial registrationThe conduction of this study is approved the 2/2–2023 with the EU-CT number: 2022–501930-49–00. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05830162.

The Market Marketing Strategy Analysis of Brandy Melville and Its Guiding Role in Female Body Image Anxiety

With the development of The Times, the current society is very strict on women's body requirements, girls often in order to maintain a thin body, the perfect proportion, in order to obtain the praise of others, social recognition. Body anxiety has also emerged, which has caused a lot of attention in society, academia and industry.Brandy Melville's clothes, which only feature a single size, have spawned body anxiety among women who are unhappy with their bodies. This paper will describe the complex issue of body anxiety in today's society. First, it discusses the marketing strategy of Brandy Melville brand market, collects terms and texts related to BM, and conducts corresponding text analysis and research to discuss and analyze the orientation of bm style to the spread of body anxiety. Secondly, this paper will explore the interaction between positive body image and brand marketing strategies, while proposing some trends in brand and aesthetic development based on current marketing strategies.

The sexuality of women with cervical cancer undergoing definitive radiotherapy in Ghana

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to assess the sexuality of cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy at a major cancer treatment center in Ghana. This is an area of interest as globally; cervical cancer kills approximately 342,000 people per annum with an estimated number of 604,000 new cases in 2020. Acknowledging the World Health Organization's definition of sexual health as a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality, this paper sheds light on how these dimensions affect the quality of life of cervical cancer patients. MethodsThis was a longitudinal study, which assessed the impact of radiotherapy on the sexuality of both premenopausal and postmenopausal cervical cancer patients presenting for primary treatment with chemoradiation from April to July, 2021 at a major cancer treatment centre in Ghana. The Female Sexual Function Index and Body Image Scale questionnaires were respectively used to evaluate the sexual functions scores among the cervical cancer patients, and to assess the impact of the treatment on their body image. MATLAB software was used for data analysis. ResultsMost of the cervical cancer patients sampled were postmenopausal (57 %). About 79 % premenopausal and 96 % postmenopausal cervical cancer patients were sexually inactive during radiotherapy (day 15). Also, 48 % premenopausal and 24 % postmenopausal patients were very dissatisfied with their bodies at the onset of treatment. The frequency of orgasm in cervical cancer patients declined after treatment causing a deterioration in their sexual function. The patients' sexuality was influenced by age and menopausal status. The decreased sexual desire of the patients resulted in emotional distancing from their partners, which invariably induced changes in their partners’ level of sexual interest. This study established significant differences between premenopausal and postmenopausal cervical cancer patients who were generally very dissatisfied with their sexual relationships with their partners on day 1 (p = 0.02) and on day 15 (p = 0.00) of treatment. ConclusionThe majority of patients who presented for treatment for cervical cancer in this study were postmenopausal. Their interest in sexual activity was more influenced by their menopausal status than their antineoplastic treatment. This study indicates that cervical cancer patients are more likely to develop sexual health problems which could substantially worsen over the course of their treatment and beyond. Implication for practiceThe study will contribute within the oncology team by assisting personnel in putting in place measures that will guide the treatment of cervical cancer patients and improve quality of care.

Pathways from media attention and peer communication to body dissatisfaction: the moderating role of protective filtering

BackgroundNegative body image is a common psychological phenomenon among young Chinese women, and merits further investigation. Peers and the media are important factors that associated with body image. This study explored how media and peers promote body dissatisfaction among young Chinese women, including the mediating role of body surveillance and the moderating role of protective filtering.Methods3499 women from the general China community aged 18–40 years (M = 23.44 years, SD = 1.18 years) were investigated with sociocultural attitudes towards appearance scale-3, objectified body consciousness scale and protective filtering scale. The data were analyzed by using a moderated mediation model with SPSS and the Process 4.0 macro.ResultsCorrelational analysis results indicated that body surveillance acted as a chained indirect effect between the internalization of media information and body dissatisfaction, as well as between peer comparison and body dissatisfaction. Moreover, protective filtering was demonstrated to moderate the path of media attention affecting the internalization of media information and the path of peer communication affecting peer comparisons.ConclusionOur results contribute to the understanding of the sociocultural mechanisms underlying young women’s negative body image. Furthermore, investigating the moderating effect of protective filtering is conducive to guiding future female positive body image interventions.

Does the Surgical Margin Affect Sexual Function Following Linear Labiaplasty Technique?

How much labial tissue should be left after labiaplasty is a controversial issue. The objective was to investigate the effect of residual labial tissue following labiaplasty operations on sexual function. A total of 150 females who underwent labiaplasty between 2019 and 2021 and their partners were included in the study. In this retrospective study, linear labiaplasty technique was applied according to the patient's request. Patients were either below 1 cm or above 1 cm according to the remaining labial width at follow-up. The remaining labial tissues were classified according to the Motakef classification. Patients with a labial width above 1 cm were included in Group 1, and patients with a labial width below 1 cm were included in Group 2. Sexual function, sexual experience, body image, and erectile function of their partners were compared preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively with appropriate questionnaires. Sexual function, sexual experience, and body image of females improved in all patients. However, the improvement was more apparent with with remaining labial tissue of greater than 1 cm. The increase in the survey results of the partners was found to be similar. The sexual function of the patients was better when the width of the labium was longer than 1 cm. This may be due to better protection of the neurovascular structures. This favorable effect was also seen in the subjective evaluation of the partners.

Female Sexual Dysfunction and Body Image Dissatisfaction among patients with Breast Cancer

Female Sexual Dysfunction and Body Image Dissatisfaction among patients with Breast Cancer

The Impact of Social Media on Women's Body Image Perception: A Meta-Analysis of Well-being Outcomes

This study examines the correlation between female body image and social media usage, focusing on the impact it has on overall well-being. The popularity of social networking sites (SNSs) has significantly impacted our digital culture, providing options for self-expression, engagement, and communication. However, SNSs also bring certain drawbacks, such as the potential for body dissatisfaction and negative psychological effects. Gap: While previous research has examined the relationship between social media use and body image, there is a need for a comprehensive analysis that specifically focuses on the effects on female well-being. This study aims to fill the gap by providing a comprehensive exploration of the effects of social media use on female body image and its influence on overall well-being. The objective of this study is to examine the correlation between social media usage and female body image, specifically focusing on the detrimental effects on well-being and mental health. By analyzing academic papers and research findings, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of the intricate relationship between social media, body image, and well-being. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) framework was used to compile relevant literature. Data from Scopus sources was analyzed using the RStudio 4.2.1-win program. Various factors, such as the publishing year, author details, keywords, and document categories, were considered to identify important patterns and insights. It is recommended that awareness and educational campaigns be developed to promote a healthy body image and address the potential negative consequences of social media use. The analysis significantly contributes to the body of knowledge by offering a thorough examination of the connection between female body image on social media and usage, highlighting the detrimental effects on well-being and mental health.

It helps to be funny or compassionate: An exploration of user experiences and evaluation of social media micro-intervention designs for protecting body image

The possible means and value of embedding micro-interventions into social media to counteract the negative effects of appearance-focused content on female body image are explored. Two studies, with young adult females, examine users' experiences on social media and evaluate users' reactions to prototype digital body image messages embedded within Instagram. In Study One, 20 in-depth interviews explored Instagram users' feelings and experiences of body image online. Thematic analysis was used to assess users’ browsing behaviours and preferences when using Instagram, and to identify those experiences and features of the platform that might be harmful to body image or which might provide opportunities for intervention. In Study Two, the findings of Study One were used to inform the design of potential micro-interventions that could be embedded within everyday use of the platform. Three types of prototype body image message: appearance-related self-compassion, humorous or factual messages were tested with 192 participants. Appearance-related self-compassion and humour-themed messages were rated as being significantly more likely to be read, as being more emotionally positive, and having greater perceived effectiveness for protecting body image than factual messages or neutral images. Such messages were perceived to work by influencing beliefs about appearance ideals and appearance-based comparison.

Examining the relationship between female body image and breastfeeding intention, initiation and duration: A literature review

Examining the relationship between female body image and breastfeeding intention, initiation and duration: A literature review

THE EFFECT OF ONLINE EXERCISES ON ADULT FEMALE'S MINDFULNESS, MENTAL WELL-BEING AND BODY IMAGE

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of online exercises on mindfulness, mental well-being and body image of adult females. A total of 33 people, 15 in the experimental group and 18 in the control group, participated in the study, which was conducted as a pre-test-post-test control group design. The data was collected by the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), developed by Brown and Ryan (2003) and adapted into Turkish by Özyeşil, Arslan, Kesici, and Deniz (2011); the Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) developed by Warwick and Edinburgh Universities and adapted into Turkish by Keldal (2015); Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) developed by Tylka and WoodBarcalow (2015) and adapted into Turkish by Anlı, Akın, Eker and Özçelik (2015) and Personal Information Form created by the researcher. In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test and paired sample t-test were used. When the findings are examined, a statistically significant difference was found in the mindfulness, mental well-being and body image pre-test-post-test scores of the experimental group. It was determined that this difference was due to the high mean scores of the experimental group. There was no statistically significant difference in the mindfulness, mental well-being and body image pre-test-post-test scores of the control group. As a result; It has been determined that online exercises are effective on adult female's mindfulness, mental well-being and body image.

Thin Ideal Internalization Assessment (THIINA): Development and Psychometric Validation of a New Measure of Female Body Image

Thin ideal internalization is widely implicated in women’s body image and eating disturbances. A recently proposed multidimensional operationalization of internalization suggests the brevity and construct validity of existing questionnaires may limit the assessment of thin ideal internalization. Therefore, this research aimed to develop a new questionnaire (i.e., Thin Ideal Internalization Assessment; THIINA) to comprehensively assess thin ideal internalization. In Study 1, 301 female participants were administered the THIINA. Exploratory factor analyses revealed the 17-item THIINA had a stable 3-factor structure reflecting thin idealization, thin overvaluation, and thin behavioral drive. In Study 2, 337 female participants were administered the THIINA and validation measures. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed stability of the 3-factor structure and findings supported convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity of the THIINA. Support for temporal stability was found within a sub-sample of participants (n = 132). The THIINA demonstrated strong psychometric properties, a stable three-factor structure representing theoretically-driven domains, and support for the creation of a composite score representing overall thin ideal internalization. These findings suggest the multidimensional operationalization and measurement of thin ideal internalization could improve theoretical and clinical understanding of the impact of thin ideal internalization on women’s body image and eating.

The Importance of Social Cues When Browsing Appearance-Focused Social Media Content: A Think Aloud Protocol Analysis Using Fitspiration Images and Instagram Feed Browsing

ABSTRACT Previous research has demonstrated an impact of exposure to appearance-focused social media images on measures of female body image. However, the processes through which social media users consider and respond to appearance-focused content whilst browsing, or the degree to which this is reflective of their reactions to images typically encountered during every day browsing, are not fully understood. Think Aloud Protocol (TAP) was used to collect real-time, concurrent responses to Instagram content during two browsing tasks. Female participants browsed a set of 20 predefined fitspiration images, embedded within an online profile, and their own Instagram feed. Content analyses revealed that patterns of attentional focus in both tasks indicated the natural evaluation of images to extend far beyond simple comparison with the physical appearance of women. Participants engaged in more appearance appraisals when browsing fitspiration images compared to when browsing their own feed. A framework for understanding natural engagement with Instagram content is described which identifies the importance of extended social information when observing and judging appearance-focused images, via social media, that may be harmful to body image.

Prevalence and associated factors of eating disorder symptoms in adolescents: a cross-sectional school-based study

PurposeTo estimate the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms and associated factors in adolescents between 14 and 17 years old.MethodsThe data were obtained from a cross-sectional school-based study with 782 adolescents from public schools in Caxias do Sul, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2016. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was used to investigate eating disorder symptoms. The chi-square test and Poisson regression with robust variance were performed to estimate the prevalence ratios and associations between the outcome and the variables of interest.ResultsThe prevalence of eating disorder symptoms was around 56.9% among adolescents and more prevalent in females. A significant association was found between eating disorders and female gender, mothers who did not study or had an incomplete elementary school, and body image dissatisfaction. To adolescents dissatisfied with being overweight, the prevalence was more than three times higher than that observed among those who did not report such dissatisfaction.ConclusionThe presence of eating disorder symptoms was associated with female gender, maternal education, and body image dissatisfaction. The results show the need to identify early signs and symptoms related to changes in eating behavior and non-acceptance of their bodies in a population especially concerned with their physical appearance.