Positive Body Image Psychology Analysis

Cash, T. F., & Smolak, L. (2012). Body image: A handbook of science, practice, and prevention. Guilford Press.

Perspective rooted in the

PROMOTION of HEALTH

3 body image groups of women:

1. negative (30%)

2. neutral (26%)

3. POSITIVE (44%)

POSITIVE group thrives significantly more—displaying more optimism towards life, higher self-esteem, health stability, and adaptive coping mechanisms to potential negative triggers

BAS = BODY APPRECIATION SCALE: 4 THEMES OF POSITIVE BODY IMAGE

1. Favorable opinions of the body regardless of actual appearance

2. Acceptance of the body despite weight, body shape, and imperfections

3. Respect of the body by attending to its needs and engaging in healthy behaviors

4. Protection of the body by rejecting unrealistic media images

Low Negative Body Image ≠ Positive Body Image — Something positive isn’t simply the absence of it’s negative counterpart; just because someone DOES NOT have negative body image DOES NOT mean that they have positive body image

Characteristics of Positive Body Image

ASSETS EMPHASIZED > IMPERFECTIONS MINIMIZED

Positive body image ultimately goes hand in hand with having love and respect for the body, appreciating ones uniqueness and how the body works for them, and having a mindful connection with the body

1. Body Appreciation — what the body can do vs appearance

2. Broadly Conceptualizing Beauty — understanding beauty is not relative

3. Spirituality & Religion — respects that “higher power” [science, God, universe etc.] loves and accepts all of them

4. Body Acceptance & Love — focus on assets > perceived flaws

5. Media Literate — rejecting & challenging negative media

6. Finding Others — surround yourself with body positive people

7. Listening To & Taking Care of the Body — exercise, eating well, medical care, pampering

8. Inner Positivity Influencing Outer Demeanor — inside matters more than the outside

WHAT PROMOTES IT?

• Unconditional acceptance from important others for authentic qualities

• Media literacy

• Environments/cultures that broadly conceptualize beauty

• Belief that a higher power thoughtfully designs each person to be unique

WHAT EMERGES FROM IT?

• Inner positivity

• Self-care

• Mentoring loved ones

PROCESSES OF POSITIVE BODY IMAGE

THOSE WITH POSITIVE BODY IMAGE SHAPE THEIR ENVIRONMENT IN GROWTH-ENHANCING WAYS:

Seek relationships with people who accept them

Encourage others to love their own bodies → appreciate your own

Avoid/minimize exposure to negative media

Protective Filtering: accept the positive information and reject negative

Fluidity: negative information internalized then reframed as neutral or positive = returning to a positive state

CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

• African and Hispanic — Highest body appreciation

  • See thin ideal as impossible

  • Flexible in defining beauty

  • Greater ability to emphasize best qualities

• Caucasian and Asian — Lowest body appreciation

  • Less flexible in defining beauty

  • Attempt more to achieve societal set standards

GENDER CONSIDERATIONS

• Identify as Men/Boy — Slightly higher body appreciation

  • Struggle to articulate what they like & dislike about themselves

• Identify as Woman/Girl — Slightly lower body appreciation

  • Know what they don't like about themselves

PROMOTING POSITIVE BODY IMAGE

Majority of women were able to change their mindset by…

• Understanding characteristics of positive body image

• Practicing accepting positive information

• Framing information

  • self-preserving NOT destructive

• Rejecting negative media

• Developing individual and broad definition of beauty

  • don’t allow society determine to beauty

• Taking care of yourself

  • healthy eating NOT dieting

• Mentoring others positively

Techniques

• Protective filtering

• Interpersonal support

• Associating with other body positive people

• Embracing inclusive definition of beauty

NEGATIVE BODY IMAGE → POSITIVE BODY IMAGE

conclusion

Research on body image perception is relatively new and continuous. There is still a lot to be said with many unanswered questions. Since this is such a relevant topic not only for individuals but across many industries as well, research is bound to continue. So far it’s easy for everyone to agree that positive body image goes hand in hand with well-being.