Changes in self-other boundaries modulate children's body image attitudes.

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Social Neuroscience
• Body Image Research

Background:

• The face is a primary self-identifier, but multisensory experiences can blur self-other boundaries.
• The enfacement illusion, induced by congruent visuo-tactile stimulation, alters self-face representation in adults.
• Understanding how these illusions affect children's social cognition and body image is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if the enfacement illusion modulates body image attitudes toward others in children aged 6-11.
• To examine the role of self-other boundary alteration in children's self-face representation and body image.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the enfacement illusion with multisensory visuo-tactile stimulation in 51 children (6-11 years old).
• Measured the strength of the enfacement illusion experienced by participants.
• Assessed body image attitudes, specifically preferences for body size, in relation to the enfacement illusion.

Main Results:

• Congruent multisensory information significantly enhanced the enfacement illusion across all age groups.
• A stronger enfacement illusion correlated with a preference for larger body sizes, indicating more positive body image attitudes.
• This positive body image effect was more pronounced in younger children (6-7 years) compared to older children (8-9 years).

Conclusions:

• Blurring self-other boundaries via the enfacement illusion effectively modulates children's self-face representation and body image attitudes.
• Increased self-resemblance from enfacement may reduce social comparisons, fostering positive body size attitudes in children.
• The findings highlight the malleability of self-perception and its impact on social attitudes during childhood development.