Perceptions Of Physical Appearance Research Articles

A Comparative Study of the Influence of Feminist Development on Young Womens Aesthetics in China and Australia

The development of feminism has played a certain role in the promotion of womens status and the defense of their interests and rights in Western and Chinese society. Chinese and Western women have demonstrated the influence of feminism on aesthetic changes. The research theme of this paper is investigating the development of feminism in China and Australia, which explores the development process of feminism in China and Australia and the similarities and differences between feminism and womens perceptions of physical appearance. By comparison, literature review, and interview methods, this study found that the similarities between the development of womens rights and aesthetics in China and the West are that young female interviewees who are subject to feminism think that physical health is the most important thing, and that women have autonomy and choice in the management of appearance. The difference between the development of womens rights in China and the West on aesthetics is that due to the increasing influence of individualism and feminism in Australian society, Australian women have more freedom in managing their appearance, and they are less influenced by mainstream social norms regarding womens appearance. However, under the influence of social pressure and collectivism, Chinese women are more inclined to change their appearance to adapt to the standard of ideal female appearance in Chinese mainstream society. Feminists in China can use the results of this study to understand the causes and effects of gender inequality, and pro-feminist educators can promote gender education in schools and society.

The Relationship Between Self-Concept and Career Choice Maturity of Students Based on Gender

This study examines the relationship between students' self-concept and career maturity in terms of gender factors in which aspects of one's role, behaviour, expression and identity and the influence of self-concept components on career choice maturity are linked. This study uses quantitative research with a correlational type. The population of this study was class XII students with a sample of 100 students (50 female students and 50 male students) using Cluster Random Sampling as a sample. Data collection techniques used the self-concept scale from Rogers' theory and career choice maturity from Donald E. Super's career theory. Data analysis used descriptive analysis, product moment correlation analysis, and analysis of linear regression equations. The results showed that the self-concept of female and male students knew their self-concept, including perceptions of physical appearance and behaviour, behaviour based on goals, inspiration and values to be achieved, assessment of achievement according to the ideal self, ability to behave according to the environment, ability to master, respect for oneself, likewise, with the career choice maturity of female students and male students who are in the high category. Based on the correlation test results on variable X (Self-Concept) and Y (Career Choice Maturity) variables of female and male students, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between self-concept and career choice maturity of females 0.68% higher than male students. The self-concept component influences the maturity of career choices for both female and male students. The findings in this study are the effect of the self-concept component on the career choice maturity of female students 2.3% higher than male students, where female students are influenced by self-image and self-identity. In contrast, male students are influenced by their ideal self and self-esteem.

여자간호대학생의 외모에 대한 인식

This study was aimed at identifying the types of perceptions of physical appearance among Female nursing student. Q-methodology focusing on individual subjectivity was used with data collected in March 2020. Thirty-three Q-statements were selected and scored by the 35 participants on a 9-point scale with normal distribution. The data were analyzed using the PC-QUANL program. A total of 35 female nursing students were classified into 3 factors based on the following viewpoints: exercise-centered (type 1), self-centered (type 2), and facial appearance-oriented (type 3). The 3 factors accounted for 53.46% of the total variance. Individual contributions of factors 1, 2, and 3 were 45.00%, 4.83%, and 3.63%, respectively. The major contribution of this study is the clarification of female nursing students’ subjective perception of physical appearance. These findings can be serve as a useful strategies for nursing educators to improve perception of physical appearance.

Adolescent Engagement in a Binge-Eating Behavioral Health Intervention: Influence of Perceptions of Physical Appearance and Locus of Control.

Traditional weight management approaches focused solely on weight loss as a measure of success may lead youth to internalize negative beliefs about their appearance, and feel they have little control over their health. We examined how perceptions of appearance and health-related locus of control (HRLOC) influenced engagement and outcomes in a behavioral health intervention for binge eating. Thirty adolescents aged 14–18 years completed measures of self-perception, HRLOC, and eating behaviors. Half (n = 15) completed baseline assessments only, while the other half participated in a 10-week intervention targeting dysregulated eating behaviors. Analyses revealed negative perceptions of physical appearance and internal HRLOC were higher at baseline among youth who completed the intervention compared to those who completed baseline assessments only. Among those completing the intervention, however, greater internal HRLOC and more positive perception of physical appearance at baseline was associated with greater reduction in objective binge episodes and emotional eating post-intervention. Findings of the present study suggest that while having a more negative perception of one’s appearance may initially motivate youth to participate in weight-related interventions, such perceptions can actually lead to poorer health outcomes, and further supports the extant literature on the benefits of interventions that engender positive body image.

From double to triple standards of ageing. Perceptions of physical appearance at the intersections of age, gender and class

Since the 1970s, when Susan Sontag coined the term, discussions on the double standard of ageing has continued to evolve. Recently, scholars of feminist gerontology have called for an intersectional approach to address cultural norms of physical appearance and ageing. In this paper, we aim to investigate whether men and women internalise ageist norms differently; that is, double standards of ageing exist. Second, we explore whether self-identified social class affects the internalisation of these norms. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to examine the double and triple standards of ageing with nationally representative data (N = 1600).Drawing from Bourdieusian capital theory, sociology of the body, consumer culture, and feminist gerontology, we suggest that the double standard of ageing exists for women who feel that ageing erodes their appearance, give more importance to their appearance than men, and fear looking old from an early age. Further, a ‘triple standard’ is also traced. Our results indicate that ageing working-class women are less confident about their appearances than upper-class women. Thus, upper-middle-class women seem less vulnerable to the negative aspects of ageing than women who have less social, cultural, and economic capital to enhance their ageing appearance. The triple standard extends to men as well: appearance is evaluated as equally important by upper-middle-class middle-aged men as by women of similar age and social background. Alternatively, our results could be interpreted as upper-middle-class people experiencing more restrictive norms regarding ageing; that is, such people are compelled to seek anti-ageing solutions and are not allowed to surrender to the natural ageing process.

Trends in body image of adolescent females in metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions: a longitudinal study.

BackgroundBody dissatisfaction is associated with a range of adverse outcomes, including impaired psychological health, low physical activity and disordered eating. This longitudinal study used the Factors Influencing Transitions in Girls’ Active Leisure and Sport (FITGALS) dataset to examine trends in body image of adolescent females. Specifically, the study examined satisfaction with body size, physical appearance and dieting behaviour for two cohorts at transitional life phases in two geographic regions longitudinally over a 3-year period.MethodsA sample of 732 adolescent females in Grade 7 (n = 489, 66.8 %) and Grade 11 (n = 243, 33.2 %) at randomly selected Australian metropolitan and non-metropolitan secondary schools responded to a questionnaire in three successive years from 2008 to 2010. Participants reported perceptions about their body size and physical appearance and whether they were, or ought to be, on a diet. The data were analysed using a series of longitudinal logistic regression models.ResultsDieting and dissatisfaction with body size significantly increased over time and more so for older than younger girls. Region significantly moderated the effect of grade level regarding dissatisfaction with body size but not dieting. In non-metropolitan regions, those in the younger cohort were significantly more likely to be dissatisfied with their body size than the older cohort; whereas in metropolitan regions, those in the older cohort were significantly more likely to be dissatisfied with their body size than the younger cohort. Adolescent female’s perceptions of their appearance were unchanged over time, region and grade level.ConclusionsDifferences across time, region and grade level were found among adolescent females on body size and dieting behaviour, but not physical appearance. Adolescent females experience early and increasing body size dissatisfaction and dieting as they age, but stable perceptions of physical appearance. Age and geographic region are important considerations for the timing and targeting of interventions to address body image concerns. Further investigation of regional differences in body image perceptions and factors that affect these is warranted. The findings of this study highlight the ongoing need for strategies during adolescence to promote a healthy appreciation of body size and appearance.

Perceived Physical Appearance: Assessing Measurement Equivalence in Black, Latino, and White Adolescents.

This aim of this study was to examine whether the construct of physical appearance perception differed among the three largest racial/ethnic groups in the United States using an adolescent sample. Black (46%), Latino (31%), and White (23%) adolescents in Grade 10 from the Healthy Passages study ( N = 4,005) completed the Harter's Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents-Physical Appearance Scale (SPPA-PA) as a measure of physical appearance perception. Overall, Black adolescents had a more positive self-perception of their physical appearance than Latino and White adolescents. However, further analysis using measurement invariance testing revealed that the construct of physical appearance perception, as measured by SPPA-PA, was not comparable across the three racial/ethnic groups in both males and females. These results suggest that observed differences may not reflect true differences in perceptions of physical appearance. Measures that are equivalent across racial/ethnic groups should be developed to ensure more precise measurement and understanding.

Intricacies of School Relationships and the Well-Being of Arab American Youth: Implications for School Psychologists

The purpose of this study was to explore the symbolic interaction theory in a sample of Arab American adolescents. Four areas of self-concept were investigated in relation to school environment, including perceived discrimination and social supports. Sixty-one Arab American adolescents (28 males and 33 females) between the ages of 12 and 18 years participated in this survey research study. Participants completed a discrimination questionnaire, the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents to measure self-concept, and the Social Support Scale for Children to assess perceived social supports. Results were consistent with the symbolic interaction theory in various aspects. Classmate support was significantly related to all domains of self-concept, including physical appearance, athletic competence, behavioral conduct, and close friendship; however, teacher support was only significantly related to behavioral conduct. Experience with discrimination was significantly related to negative perceptions of physical appearance. Implications for school practitioners are discussed as well as directions for future research.

Evaluating the real-world predictive validity of the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory using Ecological Momentary Assessment

Perceptions of physical appearance, or body image, can affect psychosocial functioning and quality of life (QOL). The present study evaluated the real-world predictive validity of the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI) using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). College women reporting subclinical disordered eating/body dissatisfaction (N=131) completed the BIQLI and related measures. For one week they then completed five daily EMA surveys of mood, social interactions, stress, and eating behaviors on palmtop computers. Results showed better body image QOL was associated with less negative affect, less overwhelming emotions, more positive affect, more pleasant social interactions, and higher self-efficacy for handling stress. Lower body image QOL was marginally related to less overeating and lower loss of control over eating in daily life. To our knowledge, this is the first study to support the real-world predictive validity of the BIQLI by identifying social, affective, and behavioral correlates in everyday life using EMA.

Foot and ankle impairments affect balance and mobility in stroke (FAiMiS): the views and experiences of people with stroke

Purpose: To explore the nature and impact of foot and ankle impairments on mobility and balance in community-dwelling, chronic stroke survivors. Methods: A qualitative research design using face to face semi-structured, audio recorded interviews. Thirteen community-dwelling stroke survivors, all of whom had self-reported foot and ankle impairments, were interviewed (female n = 6, mean age = 67 years, SD = 12 years, mean time since stroke = 4 years, SD = 6 years, right stroke n = 7, left stroke n = 6). A framework analysis approach was used to analyse and interpret transcribed interviews. Results: Three themes emerged: (1) Impact. The influence of foot and ankle impairments on mobility and balance. (2) Standing out. How participants felt they “stood out” because of their impairments and wanted to be normal. (3) Help. The specific help and advice participants received in managing their problems. Conclusions: Foot and ankle impairments such as pain, altered somatosensory input and weakness significantly contribute to problems with community ambulation, balance and fear of falling in people with chronic stroke. Specific foot and ankle impairments may also negatively contribute to perceptions of physical appearance and self-esteem. Therapeutic management approaches within clinical practice appear to focus mostly on the gross performance of the lower limb with little emphasis on the specific assessment or treatment of the foot or ankle.Implications for RehabilitationFoot pain, sensory impairments and muscle weakness in the foot and ankle can impact on community ambulation, balance and fear of falling following stroke.Foot and ankle function post-stroke should be routinely assessed and monitored.Clinicians should be aware of the potentially distressing negative perceptions associated with altered gait patterns, footwear and orthotic use.

Looking Good or Looking Competent? Physical Appearance and Electoral Success in the 2008 Congressional Elections

A whole array of studies has shown that the physical appearance of candidates running for elective office matters. However, it is unclear whether attractiveness or perceived competence is the source of such electoral advantage. In addition, the gender of candidates might interact with perceptions of physical appearance. With the help of Canadian student coders and through the use of a web-based survey, we measure the threefold link between physical attractiveness, perceived competence, and gender for all races in the 2008 U.S. House of Representatives elections. We find that both the attractiveness and perceived competence of candidates matter for candidates’ electoral successes; the former having an important effect in intra-gender races and the latter in inter-gender races.

The mediating effects of perceived parental teasing on relations of body mass index to depression and self‐perception of physical appearance and global self‐worth in children

To report a correlational study of the relation of body mass index to children's perceptions of physical appearance and global self-worth and depression, as mediated by their perceptions of parental teasing. The relation between depression and self-perception in children with obesity has been reported. Recently, parental factors were found to be related to childhood obesity. Little is known about the effects of perceived parental teasing on depression and self-perception in children. A descriptive correlational research design was used. Data were collected from 455 children in the fifth and sixth grades in four provinces of South Korea using self-report questionnaires for measuring self-perception of physical appearance and global self-worth, depression and perceived parental teasing between October-December in 2009. The children's weight and height information from school health records was used. Multiple regression analysis and the Sobel test were used to identify the mediating effect of perceived parental teasing. Among the children, 20% were overweight or obese. Although children with obesity did not differ in the level of depression from their normal weight counterparts, they demonstrated lower perceived physical appearance and higher perceived parental teasing. The mediating effects of perceived parental teasing were found for the relations between body mass index and self-perception of physical appearance and global self-worth, and body mass index and depression, respectively. Obese children at risk of parental teasing should be identified to prevent their psychological problems. A well-designed intervention study is necessary to examine the effects of psycho-emotional interventions for obese children.

Effectiveness of self‐esteem and social skills group therapy in adolescent eating disorder patients attending a day hospital treatment programme

To evaluate self-esteem and social skills in adolescent eating disorder patients before and after specific group therapy as part of a Day Hospital Programme. One hundred and sixty adolescent eating disorder patients, classified as anorexia nervosa and related disorders (AN-rd) (N = 116) or bulimia nervosa and related disorders (BN-rd) (N = 44) received structured group therapy for developing self-esteem and social skills. BN-rd patients had poorer perceptions of some self-esteem and social skills variables. After group therapy, both groups presented significant improvements in their perceptions of physical appearance, their self-concept related to weight and shape and to others, happiness and satisfaction, social withdrawal and leadership. BN-rd patients presented more changes on many of the variables. Specific self-esteem and social skills group therapy in patients with eating disorders can be useful in improving certain core features.

Physical Activity, Academic Performance, And Physical Self-description In Adolescent Females

Despite the many health benefits of being physically active nearly a quarter of U.S. adults and adolescents report no participation in leisure-time physical activity. It is recommended that children and adolescents participate in physical activity for at least 60 minutes daily at moderate or vigorous intensity. In addition to potentially enhancing academic performance participation in physical activity may also influence perceptions of physical appearance and global self-esteem which tend to decrease with age in adolescent females. The purposes of this study were to: (a) examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and the percentage of adolescent females from a rural community that meets physical activity recommendations; (b) examine the relationship of body composition physical activity and sedentary behavior on academic performance; and (c) examine the relationship between physical activity and physical self-concept among adolescent females. Thirty adolescent females (mean age = 15.6 ± 1.3 years) wore an Actigraph GT1M accelerometer for seven consecutive days set to measure in 15-second epochs. Age specific cutpoints were used to determine minutes of sedentary behavior and light moderate vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Participants completed the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) to assess how they perceive themselves physically. Height weight and percent body fat were measured. Grade point averages (GPA) were obtained from school records. Regression analysis was performed to predict GPA from measures of body composition sedentary behavior and MVPA. Measures of physical activity and sedentary behavior were correlated with PSDQ subscale scores with Pearson correlations. Thirty percent of participants (n = 9) were obese (BMI [greater than or equal to] 95th percentile) and another 36% (n = 11) were overweight (BMI between the 85th and 94th percentiles). None of the participants accumulated [greater than or equal to] 60 minutes of MVPA per day. Daily MVPA averaged 9.7 (± 7.1) minutes. Percent fat (r = -.51) minutes of MVPA (r = .34) and time spent in sedentary behavior (r = .32) were significantly correlated (p < .05) with GPA. Together measures of body composition physical activity and sedentary behavior explained 36% of the variance (multiple R = .60) in GPA. The standard error of estimate for predicting GPA was 0.64. Minutes per day spent in light physical activity was negatively correlated (p < .01) with the Self-Esteem (r = -.51) Body Fat (r = -.52) and Global Physical Self-Concept (r = -.48) subscales of the PSDQ. Only the Physical Activity subscale of the PSDQ was significantly correlated with MVPA (r = .36). In conclusion the current sample of adolescent females had a high prevalence of overweight and obesity and was physically inactive. Academic performance was significantly associated with measures of body composition physical activity and sedentary behavior. Time spent in light physical activity was associated with lower self-perceptions of body fat global physical self-concept and self-esteem. Measures of higher intensity physical activity were generally not associated with physical self-perception measures possibly due to the low amount of time spent in MVPA. Interventions to increase physical activity and improve body composition in adolescent girls should be considered not only for their health effects but also for their potential to impact academic performance and psychological profiles.

Perceived Competence, Discrepancy Scores, and Global Self-Worth.

According to Harter (1985a), global self-worth (GSW) can be predicted from the relationship between perceptions of competence and importance ratings. In this study, we employed Harter's (1985b) Importance Rating Scale (IRS) and Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC) to examine importance ratings, discrepancy scores, and domain-specific perceptions of competence as predictors of GSW. Children (N = 130, 62 boys and 68 girls) aged 8-12 years were categorized into high (HMC; n = 62) and low motor coordination (LMC; n = 68) groups according to their scores on a motor proficiency battery (McCarron, 1982). Regression analyses using domain-specific perceptions of competence, importance, and discrepancy scores confirmed that self-perception ratings were the best predictors of GSW. For both groups, perceptions of physical appearance, social acceptance, and behavioral conduct contributed significantly to prediction of GSW. By contrast, perceived athletic competence increased prediction of GSW for the HMC group but not the LMC group.

Smoking Behaviour and Dietary Restraint in Young Adolescent Women: The Role of Physical Self-Perceptions

To investigate the relationship among BMI, smoking consumption, dietary restraint, smoking to control weight, physical self-perception and self-esteem in young female adolescents. 702 grade 9 students (14-15 yrs old) completed self-reported validated measures in classroom settings. 26.7% of students had smoked in the last 30 days. Cigarette consumption was low with only 13% smoking one or more cigarettes a day. MANOVA revealed smokers had higher dietary restraint and lower perceptions of physical appearance, conditioning, and self-esteem. A similar pattern emerged for those girls classified as using smoking to control weight. Multiple regression found dietary restraint was predicted by higher BMI, and lower body appearance and self-esteem. The data provided converging evidence that girls with low self-perceptions are more likely to engage in health-compromising behaviours. Smoking behaviours and dietary restraint were also linked. However, the small effect sizes for smoking behaviours warrants caution.

Factors associated with peer social competence in preadolescents with craniofacial anomalies.

Examined factors associated with peer social competence in preadolescents with craniofacial anomalies (CFA). Preadolescents with relatively greater social competence reported more frequent companionship with peers, and more positive Harter (1985) Self-Perception Profile for Children perceptions of physical appearance and scholastic and athletic competence; their parents were more likely to encourage them to interact with peers. Preadolescents lower on social competence reported more loneliness and social anxiety. Parents rated them as having more behavior problems on the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach, 1991), especially internalizing, and were more worried about their children's friendships. Areas where preadolescents with CFA are vulnerable to poor peer relations are discussed.

Perceptions of Physical Appearance and Adolescents' Social Alienation

For 127 adolescent boys and 149 girls, correlations of subjective ratings for "physical appeal" and "good-looking" with scores on Dean's Alienation Scale and an 18-item self-survey, showed self-judgments, but not objective judgments, of appearance were associated with some forms of social alienation, especially over-all alienation and powerlessness.