Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
An evaluation of a body image intervention based on risk factors for body dissatisfaction: a controlled study with
Shanel M Richardson1, Susan J Paxton
1School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
Objective:
In this research we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a theoretically derived school-based body image intervention for young adolescent girls.
Method:
Participants were 194, female Grade 7 students from two Catholic Secondary Schools in Melbourne, Australia. One school was allocated to the intervention group and the other school was allocated to the control group. The intervention group participated in three 50-min body image intervention sessions, while the control group received their usual classes. All participants completed baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up questionnaires.
Results:
The intervention group reported significantly more positive outcomes than the control group on measures of intervention topic knowledge, risk factors for body dissatisfaction, body image, dietary restraint and self-esteem, at post-intervention and follow-up.
Discussion:
This study provides support for the efficacy of a theoretically derived school-based body image intervention with adolescent girls.
Related Concept Videos
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Bulimia Nervosa
Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Binge Eating Disorders

