Towards positive body image: the protective role of body compassion against body shame and the risk of eating disorders
Year: 2023
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This PhD thesis examines the protective role of cultivating positive body image in mitigating body image disturbance and the risk of eating disorders in young adult women. It specifically examines how women’s unique experiences of connecting with their bodies, shaped within a sociocultural context, can impact their body image and alter the risk of developing eating disorders. Body image disturbance, characterized by alterations in the perceptual and/or affective dimension of body image, is widely established as a key risk factor in the onset and maintenance of eating disorders. Given the detrimental impact of body image disturbance on physical and mental health, especially for young adult women, it is crucial to further examine its underlying mechanisms in order to develop effective prevention and intervention programs. Thus, the main aim of this dissertation is to contribute to the improvement of the current prevention and treatment approaches for body image disturbance and eating disorders. In this regard, the objectives of this dissertation are: (1) To validate the virtual reality software program as a tool aimed to assess aspects of perceptual and affective body image disturbance in women from clinical and non-clinical populations; and to explore the differences in body image disturbance between these populations; (2) To explore the underlying mechanisms (perceptual “thin-fat” categorical boundary associated with the thin-ideal internalization; and positive and negative affect) affecting the perceptual and the affective BID in adolescents and young adults from clinical and non-clinical populations; (3) To conduct a narrative review integrating the construct of body image, embodiment, body shame, and compassion (self-compassion and compassion towards the body); (4) To validate and study the psychometric properties of the Body Image Shame Scale as an instrument to assess internal and external dimensions of body shame in Spanish women; (5) To confirm the protective role of self-compassion on the risk of eating disorders and to analyze the role of positive affect, body trust, and body shame as potential underlying mechanisms between self-compassion and the risk of eating disorders; (6) To validate and study the psychometric properties of the Body Compassion Scale as an instrument to assess body compassion in Spanish women; (7) To examine the protective role of body compassion in cultivating positive body image (body appreciation) and decreasing body image disturbance (body shame) and the risk of eating disorders; (8) To investigate the efficacy of body compassion micro-intervention in buffering and regulating body image-related variables (body shame, body satisfaction, and body trust) and promoting positive affect. In sum, the present dissertation yields novel findings on the factors underlying BID and the protective BI-related variables. In addition, it highlights the importance of cultivating compassion toward oneself and one’s body as the key aspects in addressing body image disturbance and fostering a positive connection with one’s body. These findings offer an encouraging focal point for future research studies and the development of effective eating disorders prevention and intervention programs for women. Overall, this dissertation contributes to a deeper understanding of the body image construct and offers promising directions for future investigations in this field.
Author: Burychka, Diana
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6987544036