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Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
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Decreasing body dissatisfaction using a brief conditioning intervention.

Vandana Aspen1, Carolien Martijn2, Jessica M Alleva2

  • 1Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, CA, USA.

Behaviour Research and Therapy
|April 28, 2015
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study shows that pairing body images with positive social cues can reduce body dissatisfaction and improve self-esteem in women. These positive effects on body image were sustained at 12-week follow-up.

Keywords:
Body dissatisfactionBody imageEvaluative conditioningHigh riskIntervention

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Body Image Research

Background:

  • Body dissatisfaction is prevalent in females and a significant risk factor for eating disorders.
  • Existing interventions for body dissatisfaction often require significant time commitment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of a brief evaluative conditioning intervention for reducing body dissatisfaction.
  • To determine if pairing personal body images with positive social stimuli improves body image and self-esteem.

Main Methods:

  • 39 women with high body dissatisfaction were randomized into an evaluative conditioning group or a waitlist control group.
  • The intervention involved pairing participants' body photographs with positive social cues (smiling faces).
  • Body dissatisfaction, restraint, eating concerns, and self-esteem were measured at baseline, post-treatment, and at 4 and 12 weeks.

Main Results:

  • The treatment group showed significant reductions in shape and weight concerns and significant increases in self-esteem compared to the control group.
  • The control group also showed similar improvements after completing the intervention.
  • Improvements in body dissatisfaction from the treatment were maintained at the 12-week follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • A brief conditioning intervention pairing individual body images with positive social feedback can effectively improve body image and self-esteem.
  • This method offers a potentially rapid and effective approach to addressing body dissatisfaction.