Silhouette-based body dissatisfaction and positive psychological functioning in Uruguayan adults

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between silhouette-based body dissatisfaction and positive psychological functioning (PPF) in Uruguayan adults, and to explore differences according to sex, body mass index (BMI), and body satisfaction status.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 202 adults (M age = 35.44, SD = 12.69; 73.8% women). Participants completed the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale (SFRS), the Positive Psychological Functioning Scale (PPFS), the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and a sociodemographic survey.

Body dissatisfaction was negatively correlated with PPF total score (r = -0.28, p < .001), as well as with several PPF dimensions, including self-esteem (r = -0.30), vitality (r = -0.29), autonomy (r = -0.18), and environmental mastery (r = -0.23). Body dissatisfaction was positively correlated with psychological distress, as measured by GHQ-28 total score (r = 0.30, p < .001). Participants classified as body dissatisfied had higher BMI and lower scores on several PPF dimensions at the uncorrected level. After Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, several PPF dimensions remained significantly lower among body dissatisfied participants, particularly self-esteem, vitality, environmental mastery, optimism, autonomy, resilience, and curiosity. No significant unadjusted sex differences were found in body dissatisfaction. In the adjusted logistic regression model, higher BMI, lower PPF total score, and sex were independently associated with body dissatisfaction status.

Silhouette-based body satisfaction status was associated with higher positive psychological functioning and lower psychological distress. When age, sex, living situation, BMI, psychological distress, subjective socioeconomic level, and PPF were considered simultaneously, PPF remained independently associated with body dissatisfaction. These findings suggest that silhouette-based body satisfaction status is associated with psychological resources and may be relevant for understanding broader psychological functioning. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm causal directions.