Positive body image: Precursors, correlates, and consequences.

摘要

Examination of the body image literature reveals a startling lack of research on positive body image, although data suggest that not all women are dissatisfied with their physical appearance. The purpose of this quantitative and qualitative investigation was to define and validate the construct, "positive body image." The three-part definition---based upon body image evaluation, emotional impact of body image distress, and body image quality of life---was used to delineate body image groups. This study sampled 286 college women, ages 18 to 29. Cluster analysis produced three distinct groups: positive body image (PBI; n = 127), normative body image discontent (NBID; n = 73), and negative body image (NBI; n = 86). Groups were compared on a variety of selected variables, including certain historical variables, standardized measures of body image, personality, and psychosocial functioning. Compared to NBID and/or NBI groups, women in the PBI group reported greater appearance satisfaction, less body image dysphoria, better body image quality of life, less dysfunctional investment in appearance, lower internalization of media influences, fewer maladaptive and more adaptive coping strategies, lower self-presentational perfectionism, greater optimism, higher self-esteem, greater perceived social support, fewer dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors, decreased emotional distress caused by appearance-related teasing, lower body mass indices, less yo-yo dieting, and greater recent weight stability. The PBI group consisted of proportionally more African American women than other body image groups. The PBI group did not differ from NBID or NBI in overweight history in childhood or history of involvement in physical activity (e.g., team sports or dance/gymnastics). The PBI group members were more likely to have a stable history of appearance satisfaction. Predictors of PBI based on a standard omnibus logistic regression analysis included less dysfunctional investment in appearance, less overweight in adolescence, better global self-esteem, and the use of fewer avoidant coping strategies. Qualitative data were collected and examined to expand our knowledge about the influences to which women attributed their appearance satisfaction in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.